RUPANEWS

Journal of the Retired United Pilots Association

Volume 5 Number 2 (Journal 523) February, 2003

IN THIS ISSUE
President’s Report Page 3
About The Cover Page 11
Notices Page 3-13
In Memoriam Page 41-42
Calendar Page 44
 RUPANEWS
Editor Jock Savage
2207 Thurm Ave. Belmont, CA 94002-1547
Tel (650) 592-2380, FAX (650) 592-2380
Email: jocksavage@attbi.com
RUPA Website - www.rupa.org

OFFICERS
The late Captain George Howson, President Emeritus
President Rich C. Bouska, 2734 Crater Rd., Livermore, CA 94550 925-443-4339, rbouska1@attbi.com
Vice Pres Noel Kane, 14611 Aloha Ave, Saratoga, CA 95070 408-867-7738, noelkane@msn.com
Sec/Treas. Cleve Spring, 1104 Burke Ln. Foster City, CA 94404 800-787-2429, clevespring@attbi.com
Asst. S/T Floyd Alfson, 517 Kentucky Ave., San Mateo, CA 94402 650-344-8359, f-alfson@mindspring.com
Membership Bill Richards, 1421 Canberley Ct., Trinity, FL 34655 727-375-9859, wrichar8@tampabay.rr.com

COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN
Convention Sites...................... Joe Ferrie JoeKaraoke@compuserve.com
Fold'n 'n Stuffin' ............................ Cleve Spring clevespring@attbi.com
ALPA MEC Liaison......................Felix Isherwood felix@hsa-kauai.net
WHQ Liaison...........................................Milt Jensen miltj@bigfoot.com
Widows Coordinator ....................Jackie Abel JacquelineAbel@aol.com
RUPA Web Site ............................ Bruce McLeod BMcL23@yahoo.com

AREA REPRESENTATIVES
Chicago .................................... Bernie Sterner
Dana Point, California............... Ted Simmons
Denver (Good Ole Boys).......... Ted Wilkinson
Florida, N.E. ...........................Lowell Johnston
S.E. (Gold Coast)......................Stan Blaske
Jimmy Carter
S.W. ..................................Chuck Monahan
Tampa ......................... Matt Middlebrooks
Treasure Coast ......................... Bob Schaet
Las Vegas (High Rollers)............. Clyde House
Los Angeles......................................... Rex May
McHenry,Illinois ...................... Claude Nickell
New York ................................... Ray Bernosky
Ohio (North Coasters) .......................Dick Orr
PHX (Roadrunners).......... Frenchy Bourgeois
San Diego Co. ...................... Robt. L. Bowman
San Francisco Bay.........................Sam Cramb
Cam McEachern
Seattle .....................................William R. Brett
Brent F. Revert
Washington D.C. ..................E.K. Williams Jr.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Floyd Alfson, Sam Cramb, Joe Ferrie, Milt Jensen, Milt Jines, Howie Jundt,
Bruce McLeod, Walt Ramseur, Jock Savage, and Bill Smith.

RUPANEWS (USPS 017-562) is published monthly for members for $25 per year by the Retired United
Pilots Association, 1104 Burke Lane, Foster City, CA 94404-3636. Periodicals POSTAGE PAID at San
Mateo, CA and additional mailing offices:

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to RUPANEWS, 1104 Burke Lane., Foster City, CA 94404-3636

2 February, 2003 RUPANEWS

 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Fellow RUPArians, My wife and I have recently returned from a most enjoyable though very short trip to
Los Angeles, where we attended the Council 57 ALPA Retirement Party on January 18th. Sixty-seven pi-
lots were honored at an elegant party at the Proud Bird Restaurant. Captain Corey Ferguson hosted the
event, which in addition to honoring the pilots also recognized the systems most senior FOSR, Sue Ross
and Administrative Assistant, Jeanne Sampson, both of who have retired with forty years of service. A
most telling sign of the times is that fifteen of the retiring pilots opted out early.
Doug Wilsman, working hard on our behalf, has produced a work sheet whereby you can calculate the
benefit you may receive if the PBGC should take over our pensions. Look for his letter elsewhere in this
issue. You may be happily surprised at the results you come up with.
Earlier this month I listened in on a telephone conference call put on by Fitch Ratings. They track pension
funds among other things. This particular report was on the major airline’s pensions. I was surprised to
find that United was not the most under-funded; there are others who are more so. United’s problem in this
area is a lack of cash. If you would like to read this report, e-mail me for a copy.
It has come to our attention that a letter is going out from the Hall/Dubinsky group; also known as
URPBPA, asking to represent you in the bankruptcy proceedings. In my opinion, the URPBPA group is
primarily set up to protect some of the benefits you currently receive. Among these are our pensions; medi-
cal benefits, life insurance and travel benefits. If you do not receive a non-qualified or second pension
check every month, it may not be cost effective to join this group.
Many Kudos to Bruce McLeod for his outstanding efforts in upgrading the rupa.org website. He switched
our host from Lanset, which failed to give him any support, to YAHOO. The new site has enabled Bruce to
list more links. He now post updated information on an almost daily basis. His efforts have paid off big
time. The number of hits has gone way up indicating that our membership is using the site to get its infor-
mation.
Boys Night Out is on February 21st and fast approaching. Once again it’s time to gather together and remi-
nisce about old times. We hope to see you there. Fraternally, Rich

DANA POINT LUNCHEON

December: Dec. 17 at the Wind and Sea Restaurant, Dana Point Harbor.
th

Our Group almost did not get seating! Many Xmas parties were booked and our normal Deck seating was
not available due to the heavy rain storm that passed through the night before. The Man-
ager...managed...and found us a neat area in the largely empty bar. The tables were small but the chairs
were soft. Not a complaint was voiced! Funny, but I didn't notice any Bar Bill? Good service prevailed.
Reservations for next Xmas will be made! I hope!
Bruce Dunkle (our official photographer now) brought a great picture album of our RUPA group picnics
and lunches. More discussion about Bruce's brother Bill's book Arctic Flying, the story of Ptarmigan Air
Transport 1933-1941. The story reads well, but sure wish the pictures were not so fuzzy. Several of our
more senior members knew Bill. He was certainly respected by the Pilot group as a whole. Wonderful leg-
acy!
Carlos Bernhard is a regular with "The Flying Doctors of Mercy". The Ligra group goes to 4 different loca-
tions in Mexican state of Sinaloa, October through June. This last time, they had 15 airplanes, all flown by
volunteer pilots.
Jerry Myer and I took in the Pearl Harbor Day Seminar at Chino Airport. Several of the older guest speak-
ers, who where in Pearl when all hell broke loose, commented on the fault of not following up on known
information. They were out off the mouth of Pearl Harbor sweeping for targets on the day before the Pearl
Harbor attack and found them. No one would believe them. Much as they said, much of the info prior to
(9/11) was ignored...
Planes of Fame had a static display of a Zero, which later put on a flyby.
For Hire, at a Dual rate of $500.00 per hour, was a nice P51. What a nice wish for the New Year!
January: On the Deck outside today there was lots of room under the blue umbrellas. We needed the extra

February, 2003 RUPANEWS 3

room for our expanding group! Was it the Food, Conversation or the Great Weather? The service was
somewhat slow to start but got up to speed once they threw a couple of more waiters at us. No big deal and
all seem to have a good visit before the lunch, and lingered well after lunch in the Harbor area.
New to our group were Larry Freeman, Dick Jones, Bob Brockmeier and Jack Moody.
Jack shows his retirement date as March of ‘81. Sailing on his boat, “Our Friendly Seas” with his wife has
done him well.
John Callahan came as a guest of Tony Testa. John has a long list of flying accomplishment from his first
solo in 1936. He was a friend of Lowell Heacock. Welcome one and all!
Everyone exchanged what info they had on the proceedings at UAL. Who knows where and what the out-
come will be. Great concern with the ramifications on our pensions if the Government takes over. Con-
flicting information! Reminds me of ’85.
Conversations quickly got over to war stories and a happy mood prevailed.
Walt Bohl, who is active member of A.A.H.S. “The American Aviation Historical Society”, had a back is-
sue of AAHS Journal for all of us. Thanks Walt. The AAHS is a non-profit educational organization, and
its quarterly Journal is the leading aviation historical publication in the world today. The Journal, printed
on glossy paper, had many good pictures and in depth articles on all kinds of aircraft. Walt is listed as one
of the Directors (Does this mean we get another back issue each month, Walt?) Next Meeting 2/17/03. Re-
gards, Ted Simmons
DENVER GOOD OL' BOYS MEETINGS
December Meeting: It required supreme effort coupled with almost superhuman skill and cunning, and cer-
tainly was no job for the faint-hearted, but the December meeting of the Denver "Good ol' boys" was timed
to convene on the exact 99th anniversary of the Wright Brothers first flight. As, it has been reliably con-
firmed that the historic flight occurred at about 2:00 p.m. which would be noon Denver time, the bell
sounded, and a bunch of hungry trenchermen began the charge thru the chow line. This humble scribe's
observation of the gusto with which most got into the victuals, left scant concern relating to the edibility
and enjoyment of the cuisine. Someone (perhaps it might have been Jim Krasno) alluded to being willing
to forego strict observance of his diet. Humble coordinator, believing in clean living and in not consuming
diet beverages (including lite beer) threw caution to the wind and made multiple trips thru the chow line.
Following the repast, Bob Ashworth noted the final flight west of Capt. Chuck Rife, of Greeley, on Nov.
16. Bob had brought the obit from the local news which he read to those assembled. Bill Hoygaard noted
the passing of Capt. Bill Jones, who succumbed to injuries from a fall at home.
Jim Krasno took the floor to bring us up to date on the committee formed to work with the bankruptcy trus-
tees and court, attempting to protect the pensions and interests of the retired pilots. Some discussion was
offered relating to various websites and other venues available for keeping updated on this continuing saga.
Humble coordinator read excerpts of various articles relating to the chapter 11 filing and told where these
had been obtained, and also included a brief update on parked a/c and also meetings between current em-
ployees and new CEO, Mr. Glenn Tilton. H.C.'s notes were hazy, but it is believed that Jim Biestek briefly
related his experience at another carrier which went bankrupt, which occasioned no feelings of comfort.
Late in the proceedings, H.C. unsuccessfully attempted to deal Bill Bates out of his cherry pie desert, and
the meeting adjourned at a respectable hour. humble coordinator and scribe, Ted Wilkinson
P.S. a pair of reading glasses were left on a table following the meeting, and they went home with (but are
un-usable by) the humble coordinator.
January meeting: Another hot and dry day in Denver for this month's meeting. Actually the temp. was un-
seasonably in the high 50s. As usual, the pre-lunch happy hour was a rousing success. A good turnout
eventuated, and at the appointed hour, grilled steaks materialized and the lineup of trenchermen began to
chow down. This humble scribe failed to note who led the charge thru the buffet, but it appeared that How-
ard Reid was pretty near the front. It was a good thing, because with a group like this, someone with ex-
perience needs to show the way, and there are none with more experience than Howard.
Following the repast, a general discussion of the prospects at our former employer, and that of our pensions
ensued. To paraphrase ol' Abe Lincoln, there was a lot of thunder, but not much enlightenment.

4 February, 2003 RUPANEWS

Dick Wagner told of having talked with MacDonald Blesser's wife, Betty, and had to report that he isn't do-
ing well. They reside in Sun City West, AZ. He also reported that Carl Buchanan was scheduled for an
operation to re-do a heart bypass, and valve replacement. Pete Cecchinelli reported that Doug Mitchell has
been infirm but not hospitalized up in Laramie.
Special note should probably be made of Rick Madsen, who journeyed to this meeting from way up north
of Calgary, AL., near the North Pole. Course this is probably the time of year to be leaving that far north,
but he came (by dogsled and bushplane) doing his best hirsute imitation of Grizzly Adams. We're glad to
have you, Rick.
After most had their fill of vittles and the hot air died down, the meeting adjourned at a respectable hour.
Humble coordinator, Ted Wilkinson
TRACY ACES TO HOLD REUNION
Retirees who attended United’s Pilot Training School in Tracy, CA (1940-41) will hold a Reunion Febru-
ary 22, the day following BNO. To date, 21 Tracyites (plus wives) have signed up to attend. Most of the
Tracyites are members of RUPA. Rich Bouska, President of RUPA, has graciously arranged with the
Sheraton Gateway Hotel to extend RUPA’s agreed upon rates to this group.
The planned program includes a Hospitality Suite, hosted by Russ and Jean Cottle, a Buffet Breakfast in a
private room at 0900, Feb. 22, a tour of the Hiller Aviation Museum at San Carlos Airport, followed by a
Cocktail Party (1600) at the Cottle’s Hospitality Suite.
Those members who would like to participate but have not yet signed up are encouraged to call Russ Cottle
at: 650-854-2490, or Ken Breitschopf at: 650-941-4072, or Scotty Devine at 650-948-9255. Addresses in
the RUPA DIRECTORY.

INFORMATION about Membership & Postage Fees:

$50 to join and then an Annual Postage Fee of $25 due on your birthday. Send to Cleve Spring, 1104
Burke Lane, Foster City, CA 94404-3636 phone: 800-787-2429 E-mail clevespring@attbi.com

February, 2003 RUPANEWS 5

 ALPA Council 34 Retirement Party
Saturday, March 8, 2003 6:30 pm
San Francisco Airport Westin Hotel
Party reservations $50.00 per person
Check To:
Captain Lori Muir, SFOFO
6016 Crossfield Ct.
San Jose, CA 95120
(408) 268-2511 lorimuir@pacbell.net
Make checks out to: SFO Pilots Retirement Party
FREE Financial Planning Seminars
Friday, March 7 9am-4pm
Saturday, March 8 9am-4pm
All pilots and spouses welcome!
FLORIDA – GOLD COAST RUPA LUNCHEON
The Gold Coast Group met on December the 12th at the usual haunt and had a good time. We had the best
attendance in a couple of years. Jim Good, recently retired, drove over from Naples on the west coast of
Florida. Bob Fiedler, one of my classmates, came down from Jupiter. Al French came over from Fort
Meyers. Harry Lloyd came up again from the Keys. Bill Lancaster drove up from Miami, he speaks so lit-
tle English anymore that most people don’t understand him. (He will probably tell me to get off his case
sometime soon, but he hasn’t done it yet).
We discussed the present plight of our former employer for some time. I think we all learned a bit from the
diatribe. I think we all were happy that we are retired. ALPA seems to be taking the lead in the negotia-
tions with the company. I think that they have all of us in mind – Godspeed to the entire process.
The next meeting is to be held on January 9th at the Flaming Pit Restaurant in Pompano Beach. If you
would like to be put on our postcard reminder list for the meetings, please remit $100.00 to me, Jerry Brad-
ley, and call me at 561 994-6103. (Things are tough all over)
For our leaders, Jim Carter and Stan Blaschke, I remain the scribe, Jerry Bradley

Address changes, Snowbirds & Others:

The Post Office will forward the RUPANEWS for only 60 days. We can keep two addresses in the database for each
member. If you want your address changed, just let us know by one of the following methods: Cleve spring, 1104
Burke Ln, Foster City, CA 94404 – phone 800-787-2429
E-mail clevespring@attbi.com
Check the RUPA Directory and make sure we have the correct information listed for you.

6 February, 2003 RUPANEWS

 LAS VEGAS HIGH ROLLERS LUNCHEON
December: December turned out to be one of the best luncheons we have had at Memphis Barbeque. A
good group turned out, brought presents for "Toys For Tots", and in general had a wonderful time. Much
discussion about United's current situation and the effect it will have on retirees, with no solutions attain-
able. A wait and see attitude and prayers for the best is all that can be offered. Quite a number of our nor-
mal group were out of town for the holidays but the attendees are as follows. Andy & Dawn Anderson,
Harry & Georgia Arcamuzi, Bill Balboni, George & Denny Atteberry, Barry & Ruth Dixon, Fred & Carol
Gumpert, Jerry & Susanna Johnson, Gene & Mary Lamski, Dick Lynch (NEW), Bill & Nan Lindfors
(NEW), Hugh & Kathy Mattern, Gerry Metzgar, Oak & Fern Porter, Bud Puckett, Dave& Bonnie Munyon,
Lillian Wiper (NEW), Lloyd & Donna Whitlow, and yours truly Clyde House & Marie Loquet. Marie and
I are off to Yokohama to spend Christmas with our Grand-daughters but will be back for the January lunch-
eon on the 21st . Merry Christmas to all Ruparians out there and may 2003 look kindly upon us all.
clydie@concentric.net (702) 896-8821
January: January found our Las Vegas group assembled at Memphis Barbecue again to enjoy good food
and great conversation. A number of our faithful are on the road and did not make it, so they missed out on
the special announcement concerning our February luncheon. My wife Marie Loquet has decided to host
the next meeting and serve her Grandma's GUMBO recipe. Guess I get to do the cooking while she tells
me what to put into the pot!!!!!!! Anyway we are looking forward to a big crowd to share the pot. Clyde
House
LAX LUNCHEON
December: On Dec. 12 we had a wonderful turnout of 70 retired pilots and guests. Chief pilot Gary Meer-
mans filled us in on how United would start operating due to the bankruptcy. We honored Jeannie
Sampson who will be retiring from the flight office on Dec. 31. We celebrated Ken Kuecker's 74th birthday.
Then I forgot to pass his birthday card around for signatures so I will keep it for his 75th.
CHANGE. Now it appears that Billingsleys will remain open for a while, so we will meet there on Jan. 16.
Remember odd months we meet at Billingsleys and the even months at the Hacienda. All of our lunches are
coed. Best wishes, Rex May
January: I ended the November luncheon report with "where ever and when ever" because Billingsley's
Restaurant at that time said it was not able to renew it's lease and was closing it's doors December 31st. At
that time we did not know where or when the next Van Nuys, California luncheon would be held. However
their lease was renewed and 29 of us were there today for the start of our 2003 luncheons.
The room was abuzz with hangar flying when Rex May got our attention at 1210, and asked if anyone had
anything to say to the group. Herb Goodrich said "for those of you that are getting hard of hearing", and
with that there was a response of "what did you say"? Herb went on to say an article in the RUAEA news-
letter said Blue Cross will cover the cost of hearing aids up to $5000. Rex then reminded us that this com-
ing Saturday night is the LAX retirement dinner party. He then introduced Grant Yule & John Vanderwest
who were attending their first RUPA luncheon.
John Joyce got a chuckle from every one by reading an article he had gotten off the internet, called
"Sumpin' to think about". a. The number of physicians in the US is 700,000. b. Accidental deaths caused by
Physicians per year is 120,000. c. Accidental deaths per physician are 0.171. (US Dept of health & Human
Services) a. The number of gun owners in the US is 80,000,000. b. The number of accidental gun deaths per
year (all age groups) is 1,500. c. The number of accidental deaths per gun owner is .0000188. Statistically,
doctors are approximately 9,000 times more dangerous than gun owners.
Lyle Shelton was introduced and he told us about his F8F Bearcat that has been converted to a Reno Air
Race aircraft. Its P&W 2800 engine has been replaced with a Wright 3350 and with modification now de-
velops 4300 horsepower. In 1989 at Las Vegas, New Mexico after 4 passes over a 3 kilometer course its
average ground speed was 529 miles per hour. Dave Kirkendall (of Blue Skies aviation at Van Nuys ) told
us that Lyle's Pits S2B is parked on the Blue Skies ramp and if you want to do some acrobatic flying come
on out to Blue Skies.
For those of you that were not with us today we hope to see you March 20th here at Billingsley's in Van
Nuys. Till then, Doug Rankin

February, 2003 RUPANEWS 7

 NORTH EAST FLORIDA MEETING
The NE FL group met at the Spruce Creek Country Club on December 3rd. Those pilots who are still active
are always invited and welcome at our meetings and we always enjoy getting the latest happenings on the
line. This meeting was attended by 34 people. Attending were Lowell & Anne Johnston, Bill & Ginny
McKillop, Rich & Maryanne Yoder,Bruce Barton, Hal Storey, Odie Odum, Bud Thompson, Ken & Lucille
Poh, Phil & Marilyn Harman, Jesse & Dottie Jernigan, Nelson & Honeylou Funkhouser, Fred & Sandy
Schryver, Steve & Lil Moddle, Paul & Linda Graffeo, Kathy Royer (active Capt), Dick & Wilma Russell,
Larry & Janet Horton, Ed Gentry, Murray Warren, George & Shirley Spaniel, and Charlotte Forte. Next
meeting is planned for February and will be Co-ed. Keep the blue side up, Lowell Johnston

JOE CARNES NORTHWEST ILLINOIS LUNCHEON

The Joe Carnes N.W. Illinois RUPA Lunch was held at the Warsaw Inn in McHenry IL on January 14th. 90
members and guest were in attendance. Milt Jensen set the tone right and turned the meeting over to Cliff
Sanderson who gave a briefing on the present status of United Airlines. Cliff's briefing was very informa-
tive and was followed by a questions and answer session. Claude Nickell

OHIO NORTH COAST FLYERS MEETING

December: On the first day of December the Cleveland Crazies celebrated their Christmas party by gath-
ering at the lovely home of Captain John and Jo Ann Pinter. The Pinters have entertained the Cleveland
UAL workers every December for many years and their hospitality is known far and wide. Their home was
resplendent with festive Christmas decorations. The food and snacks provided by the guests were out-
standing, with several tables overflowing with goodies. With conversations wafting from the bar and every
room, it took great effort to assemble everyone into one room for a short business meeting.
Dick Orr announced that he is resigning as RUPA chapter representative after 10 years and that Captain
Richard McMakin will be the new chapter representative in 2003. Richard was welcomed into his new
post. Our trusty waitress, Vicki ( from TJ's Restaurant ) was thanked for her years of watching over the
group, and presented with a Christmas gift from the members. Rick Dubinsky (who has just retired ) gave
an overview of what the retirees might expect from the UAL bankruptcy. This was sobering news at best.
Don and Beverly Karaiskos deserted their Arizona digs to attend, while Jim and Bonnie Moorhead came
over from Nevada.
Thanks again to John & JoAnn Pinter for another outstanding gathering of the clan. It was fun! The North
Coasters wish everyone a happy and healthy 2003.
January: Having recently been handed the reins of this unruly group by the Great Poobah, Dick Orr, our
founding father and long time Den Daddy, I found myself almost at a loss for words. The first meeting of
2003 was held at the usual place. TJ's Restaurant in Wooster, Ohio, with many of the usual suspects
rounded up. A grand showing for the winter and a credit to the snowbirds who are fast moving south. Sev-
eral had already chickened out and were sorely missed.
Ken Wheeler updated us on the latest Barbershop Quartet happenings in Zanesville, Ohio and the important
dates for the spring. George Bleyle, Phil Jach and Rob Marshall played dueling Internet jokes and many a
laugh was had by all. A good thing with all the grave news we are getting from Chicago.
If I may editorialize for a moment; It is a very fine feeling to be around so many of ones friends, friends
whom one has known for so long, and in so many difficult situations. Damn I'm proud to be a "Cleveland
Crazy".
Our next meeting is scheduled for the 20th of February, and as always it will be co-ed. In the area... drop in.
Richard McMakin

United Airlines Historical Foundation

Send donated artifacts to: United Airlines Flight Center Mail Room, Attn: Tom Angelos
7401 Martin Luther King Blvd., Denver CO 80207 Phone 303-780-5537

8 February, 2003 RUPANEWS

 SAN DIEGO LUNCHEON
December: We had a good turnout this last Tuesday 12/10 at Quails Inn San Marcus. Those present were
Peter Moyer, Don Trunick, Roy Holmes, Bill Willand, Wally Frank, Bill, Pauling, Bob Collins and myself.
We enjoyed the stories told, and of course United and its effects on us were discussed. Bob Bowman
January: Besides the regular group, we welcomed new member Bert Sandy who drove down from Sun
City. Also in attendance were Pete Moyer, Bill Wieland, Bill Pauling, Bob Collins, Hugh Wilson and my-
self. We always have interesting conversation and sometimes learn something. The rest of you in SAN
come on out we have a good time. Bob Bowman
SEATTLE GOONEY BIRDS LUNCHEONS
November:The Seattle Gooney Birds met at the Airport Marriott.
In addition to the trading of rumors regarding United Airlines, Roger Baird gave a review of the recent
RUPA cruise which sounded like a great time for all. The Seattle United Pilots Wives’ Club is always look-
ing for new members-talk it up- it is a great group. Howard Holder is looking for a roommate to share the
cabin on a March 20 cruise of the Yangtze River-single supplement rooms are very expensive-anyone inter-
ested contact him. Two new members were recognized - Mario DeMitchell and Mike Youngquist. We re-
membered Larry Kingry, he will be missed both as a superb pilot and as a most unique individual. Dick
Weisner
December: The Seattle Gooney Birds met at the Airport Marriott.
Once again an extra table had to be brought in to accommodate everyone. Ray Hull has negotiated a great
price for nametags - $6.50 - so sign up for one when you sign in for the meeting. Eric Malm provided an up
to the minute timetable for the UAL bankruptcy and the timetable provided some information as to how the
various dates were determined. Faces were so long after reading this bit of news that we refused to close the
meeting until someone provided a joke. Ken Case rose to the occasion so the meeting could be concluded
on an up note. At the risk of being politically incorrect; Merry Christmas to all!!!!!! Brent Revert
January:The Seattle Gooney Birds monthly luncheon was held at the SEATAC Marriott. There were 23
members present. We noted with sadness that three of our older and distinguished members had "Flown
West". They were Norm Johnson, Walt Fallon, and Dick Cosgrave. Ray Dapp recounted their careers and
their many contributions to the piloting profession through their work with ALPA. They will be missed!
After a round of jokes and a discussion of the best time to obtain Offline Tickets at the SEATAC ticket
counter (6 to 9PM) the luncheon was adjourned. Bill Brett
Notice: The Seattle Domicile Retirement Party will be held Saturday, March 8, 2003 at the Boeing Mu-
seum of Flight. Anyone wanting to attend is requested to contact Dave Sharpe at bdlsharpe@aol.com to
receive an invitation. Those about to retire will really appreciate our support this year. Brent Revert
reveille1@earthlink.net
SOUTHEAST FLORIDA LUNCHEON
The Gold Coast group met at the Flaming Pit Restaurant on January 9th in the New Year. The worse shape
that UAL gets, the more people come to our Luncheons. This time we had 34 gentlemen. Dave Dryer, who
has done an incredible amount of work for ALPA over the years, made his first meeting as a retiree. He
flew over from the west coast with his personal pilot, Sox Youngblood. (At least that’s who he said he
was) A good time was had by all.
Next meeting will be at the same place at 11:30 on the 13th of February. For any information about it, call
Jim Carter at 561-272-1860 or Stan Blaschke at 954-581-0145. Hope to see you there. Jerry Bradley for
Jimmy & Stan
TAMPA SUNDOWNERS
On Dec. 12th the Sundowners gathered with their wives for our Christmas Luncheon. We had a wonderful
lunch at PAPPAS`S in Tarpon Springs. Those attending the luncheon were:
Jim & Patti Cole, Stan & Phyllis Crosier, Jim & Hilda Feneley, Paul & Nell Fidler, Jim & Elivra Irwin, Bud
Huffman, Warren & Vicki Jones, Woody & Diane Lynn, Matt Middlebrooks, Jack & Toni Moran, John &
Edna Papadakis, Ken & Mary Vanderhyde, Ray & Twila White.

February, 2003 RUPANEWS 9

Luncheons in 2003 will be as follows: Odd months (stag) will be at Cuzzins at 11:30am
Even months (with wives) Ken/Matt Matt Middlebrooks (727) 787-5550

THE PHOENIX ROADRUNNERS

The Phoenix Roadrunners started off the New Year at the Oakwood C.C. in Sun Lakes. Our Host Don
Eiken made arrangements for our Guest Speaker (RUAEA President, Jim Fauber.) Every one seemed to
enjoy his funny little stories and also some serious talks about our future with UAL. Thank you very much,
Jim, for your time, we do appreciate same.
ATTENDING: Fred Anderson, Frenchy & Millie Bourgeois, Mike Carlin, Dick Daniels, Jim & Ginny
Dopp, Don & Jan Eiken, Jim & Bonnie Fauber, Bob & Bev Gerdes, Bev Goodlow (TUS), Ralph & Ruth
Johnson, Ken & P.J. Killmon, Phil & Pat McDonald, Jim & Sue Mennella, J.O. Martin, Ed & Phyllis Nel-
son, John & Shirley Prestegaard, Randy & Pam Ryan, Tom & Bev Workinger (TUS), Bill Dutton, Gene
Paquette, Jerry Smith.
Our speaker, Jim Fauber, is meeting with Mr. Tilton UAL CEO on Tuesday 14th, so we are looking forward
to any NEWS he can give us on Retirees.
Our future Luncheon Dates: Feb. 14th - Best Western Resort-Scottsdale Airport, March 14th - McCormick
Ranch Golf Club, April 11th - Le Sans Souci Restaurant in Carefree with our own Bill Dutton performing
his magic.
WISHING ALL OF YOU A HAPPY-HEALTHY NEW YEAR FROM THE WARM BEAUTIFUL SUN-
SHINE STATE. Frenchy & Millie
Please call 480-948-1612 for info & reservations or E-Mail-fbourgeois@earthlink.net

TREASURE COAST LUNCHEON

December:We had a pretty good turn out for our Luncheon, Dec 10th at Miles Grant CC in Stuart. It was
Ladies day and thirty people showed up. It was nice to see everybody again. Paul and Lineka Andes
brought guests, Woody & Bobbie Hays, who were visiting from the north. The others attending were: Bill
Northup, Jim Dowd, Dave Arey and Jean Kress, Sid and Georgeanne Sigwald, Dick Starita, Clark and Bob-
bie Luther (It was great to see Clark out and about again), Bob and Linda Schaet, Dave Hoyt, Lloyd and
Nancy Barry, Bile Cole, Dick Baese, Glen Hall, Clay and Ann Grant, Jay Mallory, (Jay has a few months to
go before he retires. He has promised to give us a briefing on flying the "400" ORD to HKG at one of our
upcoming lunches), Vince Consigli, Rudy Pekrul and Lee Weeks.
We are considering moving our luncheon site to a new location. If anyone has a favorite place for lunch let
me know and we'll check it out. Watch for next month's reminder card to see if the site has changed. Janu-
ary Luncheon will be on the 14th. Regards, Bob Schaet
January: The Treasure Coast Sunbirds held their monthly luncheon at a new location in January, after
meeting at Miles Grant Country Club for a couple of years it was decided it was time for a change.
The luncheon was on Jan 14th at Walter's Place in the Holiday Inn-Downtown on Federal Hwy in Stuart.
We may continue there for a while or we may try other places. Those in attendance had an enjoyable time.
Several of us got to hear Ham Wilson tell of his adventures in the RAF flying Hurricanes and Spitfires. He
even became an instructor in Mosquitoes for the US Army Air Corp.
Anyone in the Stuart ,FL area on the second Tuesday of the month is welcome to attend our luncheon. Give
me a ring at 561-747-2796 to let me know. Bob Schaet

Washington Area RUPA, Eddie O'Donnell Luncheon, January 15, 2003

Belle Haven Country Club, our normal meeting place, closes for the month each January. We found refuge
at the Springfield Golf and Country Club and were treated well by the staff. There was a bright room with a
grand view and a very good lunch topped off with the richest of chocolate cakes. As a result of the choco-
late there was no chance of anyone going to sleep on the way home.
As usual, we began by gathering around the tables to remain standing for a moment of silence remembering

10 February, 2003 RUPANEWS

those who have preceded us in the Flight West. In particular, we thought of those departed since last we
met, John David Knudson, William Craton "Tex" Guthrie, Gloria Zurmuhlen, wife of Frank Zurmuhlen and
Kathleen "Katie" Duffy, daughter of Edward J.P. Duffy. We remembered the pleasure of their company and
the part they played in our lives and our profession.
After lunch, Dave Malone gave us an overview of the latest update to the Doug Wilsman Report. Having
studied the report and after discussing it with Doug, Dave was well prepared. There ensued 45 minutes of
questions and discussion that hopefully gave us a better understanding of the process should the PBGC at
some point in the future take over our pension plan.
Ed Miller and Jerry Goebel manned the Reservation Center for this social event and Hal Cockerill and
Bernie Schwartzman stood guard over the name tags and cash. These gentlemen certainly simplified mat-
ters for Jack Evans and myself. Thanks to each of them.
Jerry Goebel solicited funds for the Memorial Fund and spoke of the change in address for Bob Morf and
Charlie Ake. He reported positive recovery progress for Clark Luther, Jim Curtis and Deke Clark and Betty
Morf. We wish each of them speedy rehabilitation.
Bernie Schwartzman told the group that he had information regarding NAVCAD/MARCAD reunions and
invited any interested to contact him. He is in the RUPA Directory.
During the pre-lunch social hour and for more than 30 minutes after the MC finally shut up, the atmosphere
and social interaction was most reminiscent of the scene in Dulles dispatch when the bank of 37s would ar-
rive and the crews would rush in to greet and meet before their next departure. Everyone seemed to really
be having a good time. There were 9 first-time attendees and we extend to them a hearty welcome.
Bob Huguley closely examined the Golden Vessel of Uncertain Heritage before inserting his hand to draw
for our door prize. Unlike previous instances, there was no indication of chicanery in the drawing. On the
up n’ up and fair and square, Chuck Raney and Bob Norrell were drawn. Chuck, being the first drawn, had
his choice and we were most impressed as he brought all his wine-making background and knowledge of
fine Virginia Wines to the selection of his bottle. I think he muttered something about the red having a
pretty label.
Gentlemen, we need your help in keeping the mailing list up to-date. Please send to me any changes to your
address, postal or email. Also remember, that if you do not keep Jerry Goebel informed of illness and death
in the group, he will not be able to give the information to the phone tree in a timely manner.
Our luncheons are quarterly, the 3rd Wednesday of Jan, Apr, July and Oct, at the Belle Haven Country Club
south of Alexandria and we invite any of RUPA to join us. Social time begins at 1115 with lunch served at
noon. Next luncheon is Coed with the Widows of our Friends as our guests. Join us at Belle Haven on
April 16th. Contact Jerry Goebel 703-719-6353, or E.K. Williams 540-338-4574
(EKWJR@earthlink.net)To ensure a place at the table and a bean in the pot.
E.K. Williams, Jr., Washington Area Representative
About the Cover: Stinson “Junior” SM-8A
The Stinson Junior” SM-8A was introduced in 1930 when most other aircraft manufacturers were cutting
their staffs and slowing production as the economic conditions in the U.S. worsened. Priced at just
$5,775.00, nearly $4,000.00 lower than the previous model “Junior,” this 4-place cabin monoplane was
powered by the newly developed Lycoming 210 h.p., nine cylinder radial engine. Constructed of chrome-
moly steel tube fuselage and built-up wooden wings, the entire frame was fabric covered. The wide wing
struts were shaped from balsa wood to an Eiffel 380 airfoil section to provide extra lift. Safe and easy to
fly, the Stinson “Junior” was a popular personal and business plane. The SM-8A was available with Edo P
pontoons at about $8,000.00. The useful load was 1,080 lbs., and the maximum speed equipped with floats
was 115 mph.
Technical Data:
Type: 4-passenger mail Max. Speed: 125 mph.
Power Plant: 210 h.p. Lycoming radial Useful load: 1,134 lbs.
Wing Span: 41’-8” Cruise Speed: 105 mph.
Length: 28’-11” Landing Speed: 50 m.p.h.

February, 2003 RUPANEWS 11

 RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS
The company is now in Chapter 11 of bankruptcy and will be renegotiating its contract with ALPA. This
process, as I understand it, will initially be conducted much like regular section 6 openers, and then the
judge will apply his ruling to ensure fairness in meeting the real needs of the company - so it is difficult to
estimate where the outcome will lie.
As things presently stand, the company has put out a Christmas tree wish list of their desires for openers.
These will be countered by proposals from ALPA. If the parties cannot reach a settlement, the judge will
rule.
Here is the company's wish list regarding retiree medical benefits:
"II. RETIRED EMPLOYEES
A. RETIREE MEDICAL
Pre Medicare
Provide the same PPO option as active employees. Employee must be at least age 55 (50 pilots) with at
least 10 years of service and retire from active status or illness leave of absence. Employee contribution
based on length of service at retirement as follows:
PPO Option
Years of Service % of Cost
10 to 20 100%
20 to 25 75%
25 and over 50%
Post-Medicare
Employee must be at least age 55 (50 pilots) with at least 10 years of service and retire from active status or
illness leave of absence. One or more supplemental plans to Medicare will be offered with the retiree pay-
ing the full cost of the coverage." Because there are so many different plans covering retired pilots, depend-
ing when and under which plan an individual retired, it is not possible to publish the existing plan for all
members. Suffice it to say that the company will attempt to pay as little of the cost as possible. Ed.

Changes Made to Off-line Ticket Requests

With the closing of U.S. City Ticket Offices (including the World Headquarters location), employee/retiree
off-line ticket requests can no longer be processed through these ticket offices. In addition, the Travel Bene-
fits Department can no longer process off-line ticket requests for retirees.
Employees and retirees may still purchase off-line tickets at any United airport ticket counter. Please note
that reduced staffing at airport locations may increase customer line waits. In general, a waiting period of 3-
5 days for off-line ticket processing should be expected and it is recommended that employees/retirees sub-
mit their off-line ticket requests at least 3-5 days in advance. Keep in mind that airport ticket counter hours
of operation may vary by location. If you have any questions, please call the Benefits Service Center at 1-
800-482-5236, Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
I contacted WHQHR about those retirees who live a long way from an airport and got this reply:
“There is a team working on trying to resolve this issue. They advised the following:”
“In the short term there is no other alternative except to have the retiree go to the ATO. We are looking at
long term changes, but cannot move towards those goals for a while.”
“As soon as we know more, we will communicate that information as quickly as possible.” Cleve

United Airlines Retired Pilots Foundation, Inc.

Send all donations for the United Pilots Foundation to: Capt. T. S. “Ted” Bochniarz, Treasurer
11165 Regency Dr, Westchester, IL 60154-5638

12 February, 2003 RUPANEWS

 DO-IT-YOURSELF PENSION BENEFIT ESTIMATOR
Doug Wilsman, 52/85, ORD LAX, dhwilsman@aol.com
I have read lately (1-24-03) that US Airways may not make it out of Chapter 11 unless its 50% funded pi-
lots’ A-Plan is terminated. Also, that UAL’s fixed benefit pension plans are now 61% funded and that
UAL has proposed alarming (read unacceptable) changes to the pension structure in the current critical ne-
gotiations with ALPA. It would be foolhardy today to predict how all this will settle out.
The UAL MEC R & I Committee has written that if our A-plan does get terminated it is “….quite likely
that some (active?) pilots would suffer severe benefit reductions,” but adds that “….due to the complexity
of the calculations, the potential reductions are not currently quantifiable.”
If the plan is terminated it will be taken over by a federal agency called the PBGC, which partly or totally
insures the current qualified benefits being paid to retired pilots and widows---depending on their age on
the termination date. Qualified benefits are defined as monthly payments accrued using a pilot’s final aver-
age earnings that were not higher than the IRS qualified annual income cap. Generally speaking, if a pilot
gets two A-plan checks each month, the larger amount is a qualified benefit. The non-qualified payments
may be at risk, whether or not the plan terminates.
The PBGC calculates an individual’s post-termination qualified benefit by using two different methods and
then they pay the higher amount for life. Table 1 and the worksheet below can be used by a participant to
calculate his/her estimated post-termination qualified benefit using the PBGC’s two different methods.
The “pc-3 factor” in the table below was estimated by this author. It is this factor that ALPA declines to
estimate, partly because its value fluctuates in lockstep with the daily changes in the market value of the
plan’s investment portfolio. Factors below are based on the estimated portfolio market value as of 1-1-03.

Table 1 DATA APPLICABLE TO HYPOTHETICAL TERMINATION ON 1-1-03

age today 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71
pc-3 factor 0.55 0.66 0.72 0.85 0.85 0.85 0.85 0.85 0.85 0.85 0.85 0.85
pc-4 max 2,382 2,638 2,895 3,151 3,407 3,665 4,032 4,434 4,911 5,461 6,083 7,095

age today 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83
pc-3 factor 0.85 0.85 0.85 0.85 0.85 0.85 0.85 0.85 0.85 0.85 0.85 0.85
pc-4max 8,107 8,094 10,130 11,141 13,619 16,095 18,573 21,049 23,528 30,960 38,392 45,825
WORKSHEET

Gross Pay PC-3 PC-4 Max Red. Factor Red. Max PC-3 Benefit PC-4 Benefit
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Calculation instructions: In 1 enter your monthly qualified “gross pay” found on the monthly Earn-
ings Statement from The Northern Trust Company. In 2 enter the pc-3 factor for your age from Table 1. In
3 enter the pc-4 max for your age from Table 1. In 4, for pilots who opted for a contingent annuitant form
at retirement whose spouse is still alive, enter “0.90” if you opted for a 50% annuitant, enter “0.87” if you
opted for a 67% annuitant, or enter “0.80” if you opted for a 100% annuitant. For everyone else, including
widows enter a “1.0” in 4. For 5, multiply the entry in 3 times the entry in 4 and enter the product in 5.
For 6, multiply the entry in 1 times the entry in 2 and enter the product in 6. For 7, if the entry in 1 is less
than the entry in 5, enter in 7 the entry in 1----if the entry in 1 is more than the entry in 5, enter in 7 the en-
try in 5. The estimated PBGC monthly qualified “gross pay” for life in a hypothetical termination on
1-1-03 is the higher of the entries in 6 and 7. (See my 8-page detailed report on the RUPA Website at
www.rupa.org under the “Chapter 11” button.) Doug
February, 2003 RUPANEWS 13

LETTERS
WILLIAM E. ATKINS—1660 Taneytown Rd,
Gettysburg, PA 17325 watkins@pa.net
Dear Cleve, I hope this makes it on time. All is
reasonably well here, a few body repairs but no
complaints.
I built a steel frame house last year and joined the
computer fraternity. Not literate yet and don’t ever
expect to be, but I’m having fun. Bill, I expect you
to email your letter to us next year!
Still playing lousy golf and shooting trap. My gar-
den is getting smaller, but I have no intentions of
quitting any of it.
You RUPA people do great work and I appreciate it
very much. Bill
MILO W. BACON—PO Box 1234, Solvang, CA
93464
Greetings Jock – 2002 has been a dreadful year in
that so many of my longtime friends have expired
during ’02. But I do have the enjoyment of the
memories of good times and friends like Bill Dun-
kle, Wayne Hughes, Jack Goodwin and Curt King
to name a few who flew west in ’02.
UAL having folded its wings, the RUPANEWS is
the only source of reading material I get about the
great past of UAL and its employees and retirees.
Keep up the good work with the RUPANEWS. I
look forward to receiving it so much. Sincerely,
Milo
REX R. BALES—1031 Olde Chapel Ln, Greens-
boro, GA 30642 yobales1@cs.com
Cleve, Another year! I can’t believe I am 69 and
building a house. Ruth and I are playing too much
golf and not enough fishing. We both miss Colo-
rado, but I had to descend to a lower altitude. I
have an implanted device like Dick Cheney, but
mine comes into play pretty often at altitude.
Thanks, Rex
HARLIN T. BELL—116 King Richard Ct., Wil-
liamsburg VA 23185
This has not been a “Ho, Ho!” season. Last month,
my bride (Betty) was diagnosed with lung cancer.
Shortly after that I had a biopsy come back – mela-
noma. It’s got to be the water!
14
Weeks have gone by, doctors, surgeons, MRIs,
CAT scans, X-rays, PET; shuttled from one spe-
cialist to another – still no treatment has begun for
Betty – X-rays, MRIs, etc., it’s as if everyone wants
a piece of the action, but doesn’t want to become
involved
If you’re going into the hospital – keep a journal –
date, place, doctor, treatment, what medication. It
takes 45 seconds to enter and can save thousands.
You all drive carefully – automobiles aren’t the
only things the maker recalls. Harlin
Our sympathies to your wife and yourself. It is al-
ways a good idea to keep a record of your treat-
ment, and a better one to treat your caregivers as
part of a team led by oneself. Writing from my own
experience, these things can take time (it took from
March to September 2000 to positively identify my
own lung cancer and settle on an appropriate treat-
ment) but non-small cell cancer (the most common)
doesn’t grow so rapidly that the delay would be
inimical to treatment – best to get it right.
As far as saving thousands – if you have the UAL
Traditional Medical Plan, you should find, as I
have so far, that everything is covered – though one
would have a hard time deciphering that fact from
the inundation of bills from everyone. Blue Cross
doesn’t make it easy to keep track. If I can be of
any assistance from my experience, please give me
a call. Ed.
AL BENGSTON— 17416 N. Stone Haven Dr,
Surprise, AZ 85374 captbengt@aol.com
Dear Cleve, The first year of my retirement has
come and gone and Bernita and I had a great time.
We went on our first cruise through the Hawaiian
Islands and on to Vancouver, BC. Our traveling
companions were Gino and Marlene Williamson,
also retired UAL, and we had a great time. June
found us on a driving trip to Illinois, Minnesota and
Colorado to see family and old friends. In July our
family went to Hawaii for 3 weeks of sun and fun.
Son Brad and I caught big marlins, his weighing in
at 779 pounds and mine at 403 pounds. Son Craig
got a 51 pound Ono. Needless to say it was great
fun. Also fun, was watching our 4- year- old
grandson, Brendan, play in the surf and sand. He is
the delight of our lives and since the whole family
lives here in Arizona, we see them all often.
In September I went to Ketchikan, Alaska fishing
with 29 other guys and brought home about 130
February, 2003 RUPANEWS
pounds of salmon, so we will eat for awhile.
Here at home, we play golf, shoot sporting clays,
spend time with Brad, Lynne, Brendan and Craig
and generally enjoy life.
Our thoughts and prayers are that the combined
leadership UAL and the unions will be able to bring
the company back to the airline it once was. Al
GERRY BEYER—4842 Del Moreno Dr, Wood-
land Hills, CA 91364 gandlbeyer@aol.com
I got a new Imac for my 80th birthday and am still
struggling with it. I tried sending my annual letter
this way last year and it didn't seem to go through.
Anyhow, the big 80 finally is here. I don't feel 80
(at least most of the time).
It has been 5 years now since I finally quit flying. I
really don't seem to miss it. I guess 54 years of
boring holes in the atmosphere are enough.
This year has been filled with a lot of changes. We
finally decided that going from ocean to ocean to
live in an old beautifully restored 185 year old
house was enough. We were very lucky in finding a
buyer that wanted it completely furnished. We took
a few personal items but left EVERTHING else in
the house, from spices in the cupboard to cleaning
supplies in the laundry room. It made the move
very easy and as of now we don't regret it. To top it
all off, Vermont put on a spectacular foliage dis-
play just before we left. We have observed 25 foli-
age seasons so if we ever get homesick for it we
can go to the Woodstock Inn in Woodstock,VT (a
Rock resort) and enjoy it without all the mainte-
nance of the house. We stayed there as our home
away from home while making our old house liv-
able.
After hearing of Bill Dunkle’s death I contacted
Marty (his widow) and asked if she would like to
have a flyby at the memorial. and she said it would
be very nice so I contacted Clay Lacy who agreed
immediately and so, after the service, the attendees
went to the Camarillo Country Club, where Bill
spent many hours playing golf (they say they are
still looking for some of his clubs in the trees) and
Clay flew his totally restored DC-3 in perfect UAL
colors over the golf course while everyone ob-
served. It was awesome as Marty said. She had no
idea it would be a perfect restoration of a plane Bill
might have flown. Bill was one of the best. I flew
many trips with him in the DC4. We will all miss
him greatly.
February, 2003 RUPANEWS
Let us all hope Tilton has a magic touch. Thanks
for all the good work to the staff. The check is in
the mail. Gerry
BILL BLANKENSHIP—5432 Meadow Vista
Way, Agoura Hills, CA ualflt@pacbell.net
Dear Cleve, I have nothing to print this year. I do
want to thank you, Jock and all the volunteers who
put out the RUPANEWS each month. I am enclos-
ing my check for postage and some for whatever
you see fit to do with. I hope all is well with you
and yours and that this year will be much better
than the last few. All the best, Bill
LEON (FRENCHY) BOURGEOIS—5447 E.
Oakhurst Way, Scottsdale, AZ. 85254 fbour-
geois@earthlink.net
Hi Jock, Fifteen Years Retired. Flew UAL PHX
ORD to attend the Oshkosh Air Show. Had X
country trip to VA, Ohio, Denver and return in our
daughter's Motor Home. Also 2 trips to the Bay
Area, two up to Laughlin in our comfortable car.
Millie's Oxygen requirements have resulted in our
not using our passes. We have really enjoyed our
trips by Motor home with some one else doing the
driving. Millie hooks up her concentrator, so don't
require all the tanks.
We stay active with our PHX Roadrunner's
(RUPA) Group from Oct. thru April. May thru
Sept. we spend our time in Prescott in the Cool
Pines.
Our C182 & Piper Warrior are in a lease back at
Scottsdale Airport. I keep current and enjoy these
little bird's.
We have our Aches & Pains of 75 yr. olds, but
15
overall are blessed with Fair Health & Mayo Clinic
Close.
We wish all of you a Happy New Year & PRAY
For Our GREAT AIRLINE. Frenchy & Millie
THOMAS H. BRANCH—4700 W. Lakeridge Rd,
Denver, CO 80219
Cleve - Getting you the check in the same month as
my birthday shouldn’t be a big deal, but it is, and
I’m happy to finally have done it. Appreciate all the
effort you all go to keeping us informed on so
many issues other than just our activities. Got to
within 5 strokes of shooting my age, and Katie and
I still doing our best not to ACT our age.
The Lord continues to bless us, and we hope he
does the same for all who have read this far. Ciao,
Tom
RICHARD C. BROMWICH—36 Devonshire Ct,
Middletown, NJ 07748 flyup@att.net
Just a little late this year! No serious complaints
health wise and we are enjoying life.
Throughout my adult life and career as a pilot I al-
ways tried to figure out what could go wrong and
take steps to prevent it. I have been told by my
family and friends of looking at the glass as half
empty instead of half full. A pessimist to be sure,
when I retired a month early to get my share of the
pension out of United's hands and cashed out my
stock.
I remember suggesting at one of the contract union
meetings long before I retired, that we should go
back to having the company buy annuities when a
pilot retired. The argument against, was that
United would go to the cheapest annuity company
and they could go bankrupt as easily as United. I
certainly didn't think UAL would go bankrupt at
the time, but felt it was safer and I am sure the un-
ion could have had a say in what companies pro-
vided the annuity.
I feel sorry for the fellows retiring now. The stock
is worthless, the pension is going to take a hit and
the owner employees (with reps on the board)
couldn't prevent it. Its easy to blame the manage-
ment for everything, and they certainly have made
some dumb moves over the years, but the business
is changing and the retirees, employees and man-
agement are going to have to suffer and work to-
gether if the company is to survive.
Continental underwent two bankruptcies before
16
finding the right management and they now provide
better service to their passengers than United does.
Even they are losing money. To compete against
the new low-cost carriers means getting costs down
to match theirs and that is going to take some do-
ing! Hopefully UAL will survive and avoid the
fate of Braniff, Eastern, Pan Am and TWA.
Hindsight is always 20/20. Many thanks to all
those for putting out the magazine. Dick
WALTER M. BULLARD, JR— 211 Orange St,
Wilmington, NC 28401
Gentlemen, The ol’ birth month rolls around again
marking my second year of retirement, so here’s
my check for postage. Thanks to “all hands” who
do such good work putting out the RUPANEWS.
For me, 2002 was a very good year despite all the
bad news from UAL; I am determined to make
2003 even better in spite of United’s best efforts to
make it otherwise! I continue to enjoy good health
and am content. Don’t know how I ever had time to
go to work--I stay busy with working on my boat,
endless projects around my old house, a couple of
old aviators’ clubs here in Wilmington, and maybe
best of all, just quiet time with a good book.
Best wishes to all for a happy 2003! Sincerely, Walt
LYLE BURHANS— 620 Little Fawn Ln, LaFol-
lette, TN 37766 LJburhans66@aol.com 423-566-
0081
Howdy Cleve, The check is in the mail. I am one
of the newest retirees as Jan 16, 2003 makes 60 big
ones with a little over 38 years on the line.
Thank you and the many others that keep this or-
ganization up and running. Also, thanks to the
folks that I worked with over those many years who
taught me how to do a good job and kept me out of
trouble.
Our future has us taking our RV up to Alaska this
summer and flying our C-35 Bonanza out of our
airport, TN44, north of Knoxville, TN. Anyone
flying or driving this way, give us a call. Lyle
BOB BURNETT—7039 Russell Ct, Arvada, CO
80007 DCA ORD SFO TK A4Bullet@AOL.com
Cleve et al. What a memorable day. Turn 62 and
UAL declares bankruptcy. Happy birthday to me!
Still, we have lots to be thankful for. Had a busy
year with pituitary surgery in Feb, Navy reunion in
ABQ in May, a Danube River cruise in August
February, 2003 RUPANEWS
(actually a bus tour due to the floods in Europe)
and a trip to Normandy in Sept. All of this while
holding down a job as a Capt with Net Jets.
Nan and I are both enjoying good health and as
long as the retirement checks keep coming we will
be happy campers.
Check is in the mail. Regards, Bob
ROBERT L.BURNS—770 Gilbert Hwy, Fairfield,
CT 06430 66thFIS@msn.com YIP, DCA, BUF,
IDL, MIA, JFK, EWR, LAX
Another year-another birthday! Many thanks to
Jock, Cleve, & all the stuffers & folders who make
RUPA happen.
Never in my wildest thoughts did I ever envision
United being in the situation it is today. Hopefully
this great airline will recover & once again be an
aviation leader.
Too bad the public does not seem aware or for that
matter even care about all the contributions that
United has made over the years including advance-
ments in engineering, advancements in flight train-
ing, to pioneering WX Radar. As you know, the
Aviation Community always held United in the
highest regard.
Fraternally, Bob
JAY COCHRAN—2200 Bay Hill Dr, Las Vegas,
NV 89117
My first renewal check is in the mail. After United
filed Chapter 11 yesterday, I received my RU-
PANEWS in the mail. Always enjoy reading it, and
I echo my old Navy buddy, Chuck Thom in saying
I hope to meet you someday.
The news yesterday got me to thinking of many
things, and then I read Bill Brashear's letter. I
would like to list my "heroes" of United. There are
many, but being relatively young, mine are also in
the young stage. First there is Bill Brashear who
negotiated the contract of '85. Roger Hall, who had
the great idea of buying United Airlines. Too bad
that one did not work. But the biggest by far is Rick
Dubinsky. I personally know of his Integrity, Hon-
esty, and Moral character. His personal sacrifices
for the pilots of United Airlines will forever earn
my deepest respect and thanks. And never once did
he use his MEC office to further his management
career. [Amen to that Ed.]
Then as I read further in the newsletter a name
popped out that almost made me send in my resig-
February, 2003 RUPANEWS
nation to RUPA. I know that RUPA is nonpolitical,
and everyone who has been a pilot for United is
invited to join, but when someone attempts to de-
stroy your livelihood, and your families, it is very
difficult to forgive and forget. A SCAB is a SCAB
forever, and nothing can change that.
To my heroes, Thank you, Jay
ROBERT L. CROWELL—622 S. Quari St
Aurora, CO 80012
Dear Cleve and other Ruparians, Please forgive my
tardiness in getting the check to you this time,
Cleve, You guys are doing a tremendous job.
When I was growing up, my dad told me: “There
are 3 things I don’t want you to be when you grow
up, Bob. The first one is a horse trader, the second
is a gambler, and the third is a lawyer.” During my
early aviation years, I made my dad sick while
barnstorming when providing a little air show with
my dad in the plane for relatives at a family reun-
ion, and I was afraid he would add a forth to the list
of “don’ts” but he never did.
I believe we can all relate to the gamble in becom-
ing an airline pilot, not that it is dangerous, but
there are certain risks involved.
As for the second and third “don’ts”, I think that
selling real estate, which I have been doing for
some time, involves both of them. To be a real es-
tate broker involves the limited practice of law and
there is certainly “horse trading” involved.
To make it a little more involved in law than usual,
the state of Colorado has changed certain laws as of
January 1, 2003 which necessitates all Realtors’
changing contracts on all listings and sales under
contract, so I have been busier than normal this
Holiday Season. But it has been a good one.
Rimsky-Korsikoff composed much fine music dur-
ing his lifetime. It is said that a Russian peasant,
who loved Mr. Korsikoff’s music, went frequently
to visit his grave after his death. Recently, ap-
proaching the Holiday Season, this peasant heard
familiar but captivatingly beautiful music coming
from Korsikoff’s grave, when he realized that it
was being played backwards. When the peasant
asked the grounds keeper what that strange music
played backwards was all about, the grounds
keeper simply said, “Mr. Korsikoff is decomposing,
so his music sounds backwards to you.”
Similar to the above example, wouldn’t it be nice if
we could re-connect up with Westin Hotels again,
17
and play all of the financial “wizardry” backwards
and get all our retirement funds back plus have a
powerful and proud United Airlines again!!! Sin-
cerely, Bob
R.A. “SPEC” DANIELS, 100 Alpha Dr, Johns-
town, PA 15904
Jock: Got the money in earlier, better late than
never on the news. All is well with us this year,
and managed to get some golf in, along with some
chores.
In October, we went to England on a combination
sightseeing tour from Manchester to London for
some shows. Then in November to New York for
five days for four plays and a tour of Radio City
Music Hall and the Rockette Christmas Show. A
great time!
The highlight of the year was celebrating our 50th
Wedding Anniversary. The downside is what’s
happening to United. It was healthy when we left.
Since our son flies for U.S. Air we’ve got a double
whammy.
The snow arrived – 8 inches and cold in Johnstown,
and we heard the great snowbird calling, so will
head to FL to play golf and ponder all of this.
Thanks to all of you for the RUPANEWS
JACK DE CAMP— 420 Tigertail Rd, Los Ange-
les, CA 90049 capnjac105@aol.com
In time for 2002? Missed last Dec. a/c the mix-up
and didn’t want old friends to think I moved to the
big golf course in the sky. All is well, just a bit
slower. Just before you do move upstairs, Hey-sus
gives you all the golf answers. So if you start
shooting pars and birdies, get your papers in order.
Enjoy reading about old friends. Jack/Pete
ED DE CHANT—412 East Shore Trail, Sparta, NJ
07871 eddechant@earthlink.net JFK, EWR, ORD,
JFK DC6, DC8, Viscount, 727, 737, 757, 767
Well, here it is 13 months since retirement and I
add myself to the list of people who say they “do
not know where they found time to go to work.”
Ona and I are living in Sparta NJ, or somewhere in
our motor home in May and June, in a wilderness
cottage on Lake Kipawa Quebec, during July and
August, in Europe September and part of October,
in Sparta again or our motor home Oct and Novem-
ber. In Sparta December and on a 42 ft. Jefferson
Motor Yacht in Fort Lauderdale January to April.
18
Thank goodness for cell phones, email, and lap top
computers.
Late this summer, the FAA finally saw fit to give
me a 1st class medical once again after my angio-
plasties (3) which forced a 10-month early retire-
ment in November 2001.
This means that once again I can fly my C 185 am-
phibian, which we like to take to Quebec each sum-
mer and to Florida each winter. It feels good to be
in the air again.
I sold Aero-Marine Interline Tours three years ago
to two of my employees. But I am still working
somewhat in the travel field.
Four years ago I got together a group of pilot inves-
tors and we helped finance the building of a $3 mil-
lion luxury hotel barge in France. Several of the
investors are members of RUPA in fact. Instead of
taking an interest fee on our investment, we get a
yearly 110 free cabin weeks on 14 different luxury
barges to do with what we choose. These cabins are
worth up to $5000 per week. I have created a web
site from which to sell them. Additionally I kept
the 5 Paris and London apartments from my sale of
Aero-Marine and still rent them out to vacationers.
It really keeps me busy and out of trouble. Because
we can afford to give substantial discounts, the
phone is always ringing.
A few months ago I was thinking, “why am I still
working?” Now with the United situation and un-
certainly about the A Plan and medical coverage, I
am glad that I am.
Each year Ona and I lead a flotilla of 9 couples on
3 42 ft self drive boats in France. We have done
this for the past 7 years. RUPA member Bud Ber-
lingeri and wife Mary have been with us every year
except one. This year we spent a week in Septem-
ber on the Canal du Midi in Southern France with
the Berlingeris, RUPA member Bruce and Kathleen
Kennedy, RUPA member Bob and Jacque Kegal
and RUPA member JJ Cunningham’s brother Paul
and wife Ruth plus some civilian couples. It was
great. After the trip the Berlingeris joined Ona and
I as we visited the French Aquitaine to scout out
the canals and river there for next year’s Flotilla.
We have a four–year- old grandson who has be-
come the center of our universe. He is with us
wherever we are, as often as his mother permits. I
just purchased a child’s headset for him to use in
“his” Cessna amphibian.
I am always saddened to read the “Flown West”
February, 2003 RUPANEWS
section and was particularly saddened to hear of
Mike Kennett and Larry Kingry. You are right
about Larry being at times larger than life. He
lived next door to me for four years. Remember
the year he landed on the interstate and left Dave
Pete with the State Trouper. Both Larry and Mike
will be sincerely missed.
The welcome mat is always out at our home in NJ,
on our boat in Florida or at our cottage in Quebec.
There have been dozens of UALers who have vis-
ited us at all three places and we are always happy
to see them, So if you have the time, give us a call.
(Cell phone 201-401-0780). Ed
CORT DE PEYSTER—PO 21131, Reno, NV
DCA, ORD,SFO CortReno@aol.com
Dear Cleve, Another year closer to graduation and
becoming a true RUPA member. Still hauling the
mail to keep you lucky retired guys in beer money.
Trust me, you lads are missing nothing. See fewer
and fewer familiar faces in Ops and more and more
familiar names in your excellent publication.
On a disappointing note, I read an article in a resent
SF Chronicle, which quoted one of our "fallen
brethren" (read: SCAB, loyal employee, strike
breaker, or what ever). This despicable individual,
who most of you by now know, put total blame on
his brother pilots for all the ills of our Corporation.
This was done in a public forum the day after we
declared bankruptcy! I guess this just proves the
type of individual this poor excuse for a human be-
ing truly is. It also confirms all our suspicions
about him since ‘85.
On a brighter note our new CEO seems like a
breath of fresh air. All the employees are behind
him and I believe he is the right man for the job of
returning UAL to its rightful status as #1.
Thanks for all the efforts you and your staff do to
keep us up to date with our old friends.
Fraternally, PS: As they say, Check's in the mail.
Cort
RICH & EVELYN DEVRIES— 10606 N Holly-
wood Rd, Forreston, IL 61030 rich-
devries@aol.com
Dear Jock, We just got back yesterday from an
around the world trip. We've been to Thailand
about twenty times in the last fourteen years and
each time we talk about continuing on west since
we're half way around the world anyway. We de-
February, 2003 RUPANEWS
cided this was our chance to see if the world is
really round.
We started by going to Seoul, Korea to visit our
Son and family. Next we went to Chiang Mai
Thailand via Bangkok to be with our daughter and
family for Thanksgiving. We visited friends in
Whitby England before heading home.
It should only take a day or so to pack the motor
home and head to Sanford for another winter of
volunteering. Rich
JAMES J. DONLAN—N6120 Beatons Lake Rd,
Watersmeet, MI 49969
Dear Cleve, Just a short note this morning. Having
a mild winter so far. Snowmobilers and skiers
aren’t too happy, but for the “locals”, the peace and
quiet are welcome.
Holidays were great and the whole family was able
to get together for Christmas in the woods, even
one son living in China was able to be home for a
few days.
Don’t know what the future has in store, but will
take each day as it comes, and thankful for good
health and my bionic knee which is functioning
well. Old age isn’t a piece of cake!! Jim
BOB DUCKWORTH—48 Crooked Trail, Roway-
ton, CT 06853 ’66-’99 Flyingduck48@aol.com
Dear Jock, A year ago I asked for ideas for a new
airport for my glider club, as the previous one
would not renew our lease. We solved the problem
by buying an airport. I'm now a shareholder, along
with 40 others, in owning Freehold Airport, Free-
hold, New York. It's located on the Northern edge
of the Catskill Mountains, 30 NM SW of Albany,
NY, and has both a paved runway and a sod strip.
It's operated by our club, Nutmeg Soaring Associa-
tion, and managed by Clem Hoovler, former owner.
We keep our two tow planes and 5 gliders there, as
well as 20 or so gliders owned by club members.
There are also several ultra-lights and several other
power planes there. I am also now a member of
Freehold Aviation Association (FAA?) and I fly
their 1941 Piper J-3 Cub. Fun! Maybe I can be a
pilot when I grow up!
Jean and I bought a travel trailer, and keep it at the
airport, next to Catskill Creek, which has a nice
swimming hole. It's our home away from home!
In early October we held a Chicken BBQ Fly-In,
and plan to do that annually. Looking for a destina-
19
tion for your light plane flying? Come visit. Want
to learn to fly gliders? Come and join our club.
Check out our professionally managed website,
Nutmegsoaring.org or freeholdairport.com (2 ways
to get the same website).
My two new lens implants, installed concurrent
with cataract removal, one of which was just done
3 days ago, seem like they will give me 20/20 vi-
sion for distance. I'm using Drug Store type glasses
for reading. My FAA medical examiner says I
should have no problem maintaining a 2nd class
medical certificate. Best vision I've had since I was
in my 20's.
Thanks to all of the RUPA officers and Newsletter
people for all of your efforts. Cheers, Bob
ALEX DUNN—11391 N 78th St, Scottsdale, AZ
85260 vmcvmo@aol.com
Cleve, Bankruptcy yesterday and my birthday is
tomorrow. It took hard work on the part of a num-
ber of people to put UAL into bankruptcy, and they
got paid to do it!
During the past year I spent time in Hawaii,
Europe, sailing in the Pacific as a crewmember on a
replica of a 1750s square rigger, flying my Cessna
172 and the CAF's PBY, and moving. Life goes on.
Thank you Cleve for all the work you and the other
volunteers do on our behalf. Regards, Alex
TED ELDER—25515 SE Mirrormont Blvd, Issa-
quah, WA 98027 1960-1993
Shirley and I are enjoying the sun on Maui right
now, but almost ten years since my retirement
we’re wondering if we’re going to have an airline
to fly home on at the end of February.
Other than the situation with UAL, our year has
been a pretty good one. We were on Maui a year
ago for our daughter’s wedding here at Puamana in
Lahaina. They both work for Alaska Airlines, Pam
as a flight attendant and her husband, Justin, as a
pilot. The setting was great for a wedding and air-
lines were well represented.
We took a few other short trips during the year, and
our usual cruise on our boat to northern Washing-
ton and the Canadian Gulf Islands. Our daughter,
Deborah, and our grandchildren joined us for a few
days in Roche Harbor for a yacht club function and
then Pam and Justin joined us in Canada and after a
week cruising the Gulf Islands and stayed aboard
for the trip back to Seattle. We took in a couple of
Dixieland jazz festivals, also. Ted
20
ROBERT J. ENGL—221 Belle Point Dr, Queens-
town, MD 21658 rjengl@friend.ly.net
Dear Cleve and Jock; How can the troops ever re-
pay you and the rest of the volunteers for keeping
the rest of us informed and together. Accept grate-
ful appreciation for your work from this retiree.
Glad I have a job! And to love what I am doing is
an added blessing. Still flying the Falcon out of
nearby Easton, MD and working for the best own-
ers possible. I would like to hear from other people,
like me, who are in the general aviation business
and still share the love of flying trips. I only know
of Clay, Deke and Dave Ruppert. E-mail me.
With two kids flying for the company I certainly
have an added incentive to see UAL survive. I am
the eternal optimist in thinking that we will come
out of bankruptcy stronger, smaller and ready to
fight. Lots of opposition to my thinking but that’s
what I think is going to happen.
Everyone wants to blame management, and surely
they have served the company poorly, but there is
plenty of blame to pass around. All of us remember
the lawsuits that UAL lost. I think that they were on
the edge of the spear whenever a question of fair-
ness came up. Unions that always wanted more and
even employees who were only there for the
money. Today, even with the problems confronting
them, many of the employees still don’t want to
give back even if it means their job. Maybe they
need to take a good look around and see what is
really out there for them if there jobs go away.
We are thankful for our health and happiness and
wish all of you a happy holiday season and a
blessed new year. Bob
Since you brought the subject up, I don’t know if
by unions you are referring to the pilots at UAL, if
you are, I disagree strongly. Do you think that
scabs should have won the lawsuits?
Pilots have given back more than their share over
the decades. Pre-WWII, a captain could afford a
new car every month on his wages; since 1972, em-
ployee wages in general have not kept pace with
inflation. Hardly pay to productivity. There are
limits below which one should not descend and still
hope to keep the profession a worthwhile one. Bet-
ter die on one’s feet than live on one’s knees, which
is what I fear will happen to the active pilots as
UAL plans to double-breast its operation with a
low-cost “carrier within a carrier”, and finally rid
itself of ALPA, something it has wanted to do since
at least 1985. Ed.
February, 2003 RUPANEWS
BILL & MITZI FIFE—5081 W Rowland Ave,
Littleton, CO 80128
Used more health insurance this year! Slowing
down on travel has let us enjoy more “Good 01’
Boys” and Flight Wives luncheon and pot-lucks.
Went to a reunion in Iowa and on the way stopped
in a small flight museum in Green-field, Iowa. It
had a Taylorcraft and a Meyers airplane like the
ones I flew in Iowa City pre-WWII and United. It
had a good small library that included a diary of
Lindberg’s. This held tremendous insight into his
pre-war activities. Sure enjoy the RUPANEWS.
Best to everybody, Bill
MICHAEL W. FITCH—304 Valentine Acres Rd,
Clearville, PA 15535 mjmalabar@cs.com
Dear Cleve, This will be my first and last snail-mail
– the rest will be e-mail.
Retired a few months early on September 1 and so,
since I have been looking forward for years to be-
ing a member of RUPA, enclosed is my member-
ship fee and first postage fee.
I have been reading the newsletter for several years
courtesy of my dad, Chuck Fitch, who was UAL
1939 to 1949 and ARINC 1949 to his retirement as
V.P. Operation in 1977. He’s been a RUPA mem-
ber for years so we’re now a father-son RUPA
team. How many of those do you have?
Thanks for all of your good work as well as all of
those who work on the RUPA team as it is very
much appreciated. Regards, Mike
GEORGE J. FURCH JR.—61 Sunrise Mesa Dr.,
Canon City CO 81212
Dear Jock: I will be 88 next month. In ’43 & ’44 I
was in ATC in Alaskan Operations. Mel Fish was
the UAL Dispatcher in Anchorage. On Thanksgiv-
ing Day in ’44 I had my last trip with Capt. E.J.
Smith “Big Smitty”. Simon Bolivar Buckner –
Brig. General – was in charge in Alaska.
Thanks to all the effort it takes to put out the RU-
PANEWS.
Happy holidays, George
CLAY GOLDEN—5393 Azalea Dr, Grants Pass,
OR 97526’55-‘87, LAX, SFO & TDY to Several
domiciles!
Gentlemen, Jock, Cleve, and folders & Stuffers,
Officers and Board Members. (The latter rank
higher than those of us just trying to be gentlemen.)
February, 2003 RUPANEWS
This has been a trying year for all of us, and espe-
cially those of us who served during the Patterson
years. We witnessed a truly great era in aviation,
headed up by a few extremely dedicated men, par-
ticularly our own Pat Patterson. He often said his
priorities were, in this order, the flying public-
customer, second the employees, and thirdly, the
stock holders. What a change in today's manage-
ment philosophy! We were really privileged to
work under such foresighted leadership. Many of
you well remember the gift of flowers when any
member of your family had a hospital stay, or pos-
sibly the yellow baby blanket that he sent shortly
after one of your children was born. He was an
awesome leader, the kind seldom emulated today
by any of our "Harvard Business School types," so
called leaders today. Their priorities are to them-
selves, the stock holders, the customer, and maybe
the employees fit in on the end! The corporations
they control, after many good leaders have built
them into recognition as great entities, are only
plunder for their own gain. Oh, that United had
been immune from this practice!
Back to the present: We are all looking forward to
the future with positive hopes I'm sure. We have
been granted a very enviable lifestyle, and most of
us take advantage of it. Our own travel has been
rewarding, though not extensive this year. A cou-
ple cruises, one to the Mexican Riviera, and an
Alaskan cruise. Both were relaxing and enjoyable.
A side trip to Wyoming for a High School reunion
and visiting along the way. We played golf with
many friends on that trip and later up the west coast
with German friends who joined us on the Alaskan
cruise. A trip to Oklahoma for a grand daughters
Phi Beta Kappa installation, and a few more local
Square Dancing and bowling trips. We hope all of
you are enjoying our benefits as much.
No major medicals this year, but we appreciate all
the stories and developments reported. I did have
30 Chelation treatments in the 70's and had excel-
lent results. They were for lead poisoning (I was
always told to get the lead out!) but the majority
were for circulation. A doctor from Denmark was
there because of gangrene in a leg, and his leg was
saved. There were people there for other condi-
tions as well. If you have problems you can't find a
cure for, look into Chelation. You can't lose but a
few dollars, you could save your health, even your
life. It certainly isn't quackery.
21
We'll be on a cruise around Australia and New Zea-
land when my birthday rolls around so this is a lit-
tle early. United will discontinue service to those
countries later in March. Probably necessary, but
with proper management, might not have been.
I thoroughly enjoy all the letters. Many of you I
don't know, but our bonds are the same and your
stories are all enjoyed. Check to follow. Clay
HERB GOODRICH—19118 Marilla St, North-
ridge, CA. 91324, '46-'79, BU, LAX, JFK, LAX
htgoodrich@socal.rr.com
Hello Cleve. Hilda and I celebrated our 50th wed-
ding anniversary in September. Our 3 children, and
their families, (9 grandchildren) put on a skit, fea-
turing my old United and USAF uniforms, Hilda's
TWA uniform, wedding dress and going away out-
fit ,featuring the grandkids as models!
Our health is good, but I advise you younger guys
to eat your spinach, collard greens and wear sun-
glasses, as I now have to cope with macular degen-
eration (wet). Hilda's now the designated driver.
I use a closed circuit TV to read my RUPA news-
letter (takes a lot of time!), The computer is out of
my realm unless the kids or grandkids come over
and help. For those facing this, I'll mention that I
went to Jules Stein Institute for a TTT treatment (a
modified low laser treatment that cauterizes the
leaking blood vessels) with mixed results. I'm de-
murring on the next procedure (Visudyne) as it
leaves more scar tissue. The good news is that
"they say" one doesn't lose their peripheral vision
with this condition.
Hilda and grandkids have been generally successful
with the companion passes traveling to Hawaii.
We get to the monthly RUPA luncheons, and keep
up with the UAL news!
I enjoy the newsletter and your efforts to keep us
all posted and the fraternity active. All the best!
Herb & Hilda
EMMETT M. HANLEY— 26 Blueberry Hill Rd
Box 66, Swartswood, NJ 07877
Dear Cleve, Thank you and all the volunteers at
RUPANEWS for all your hard work. Had a stroke
in August, it slowed me down, but I am thankful to
be walking, talking and getting better every day.
So very grateful to all those guys in ALPA who had
the foresight to make our future secure. Hope UAL
can turn it around. Best wishes and Seasons Greet-
ings to all. Bump
22
DAVID HANST—16467 Harbour Ln, Huntington
Beach, CA 92649 dhanst@socal.rr.com
I am a couple of months late with my birth month
message, and postage check, both were due in Sep-
tember. Two and a half years after the heart by-
pass surgery I am feeling fine. Twenty-four years
since retirement.
Wife Marian and I celebrated our fiftieth wedding
anniversary last July. Our children had a surprise
party for us on the Queen Mary with seventy-five
of our friends. Dave
MARK A. HARRIS—2000 Hendricks Ave. PMB
118, Jacksonville, FL 32207
Cleve, Naida and I are still enjoying dividing our
year between mid-coast Maine in the summer and
hometown Jacksonville, Florida in the winter.
Another great trip to Italy this year with visits to
our Italian friends in Genoa and to their second
homes along the Italian Riviera.
We also rented a huge villa with seven bedrooms in
Bagni di Lucca, Tuscany for another week with
American friends.
Check's in the mail. Thanks to all the RUPANEWS
workers. Mark
TOM HELMS—1826 North Vail, Arlington
Heights, IL 60004
Hi Cleve, Enclosed is my renewal check which is
only 2 months late. I am getting a little bit better on
my renewals as time goes by.
One thing you might try if you need more Folders
& Stuffers is to put in something in the Council 34
Newsletter. There are plenty of bored working pi-
lots setting around SF0 who could help if they were
aware of the dates. For my part I had a crash pad
apartment with 5 other guys at the Franciscan at
Foster City when I was flying Shuttle Captain in
1997 and would have been glad to help.
Although I took a tremendous haircut hit in 1989 at
age 52 when I took my “A” fund Eastern pension.
I am still receiving my PBGC checks, even though
small, every month like clockwork as is every other
Ex-EAL pilot. I hope that the situation doesn’t de-
teriorate further at UAL so I get 2 from PBGC.
Best wishes for a happy 2003, Tom
Good idea, Tom
DOUGLAS M. HORNE—81 Beachfront Trail,
Santa Rosa, CA 32459 douglashorne@mchsi.com
February, 2003 RUPANEWS
Dear Jock: “Timing is everything”, someone once
said. I just sent off my renewal a bit early; not
really because I'm efficient, but because I got nor-
mal retirement checks this month and figure I'd bet-
ter pay some debts while I still can. And then look
for a job. I'm sure glad to be living up here in the
Redneck Riviera as there isn't that much competi-
tion from RUPA members for jobs as greeters at
Wal-Mart.
I really appreciate the effort you've put into getting
information out about the bankruptcy mess. ESOP
to Chapter 11 in less than ten years. Very sad story
for a great company.
I hope someday someone without a bias will write
this up and figure out what went wrong. In the
meantime, I'm holding on to my six shares of UAL
stock. I'd hate to dump them on the market all at
once and cause a general selling panic with the
Dow losing 200 points or so.
Take care, Doug
SID HUFF—PO Box 281, Homewood, CA 96141
Dear Cleve, The May 2002 RUPANEWS had a
1929 model Travelair 4000 on the cover which
brought back vivid memories. In 1934 I worked at
the local airport as a “grease monkey” doing every-
thing from refueling, covering, wings ard selling
rides. My boss had two Travelair 2000’s which
were powered by OX 5 engines and a Kinner K5. I
soloed on the OX5, illegal for I was only 15. Cir-
cumstances are as follows, one morning he landed
and told me to clean the carburetor screen and test
it. He was going into town for an hour. I did what
he told me to do. Set the throttle switch on contact
spun the prop, it caught with a roar I ducked under
the wing climbed into the cockpit. Temptation, I
February, 2003 RUPANEWS
had 7 hours of dual, boss will be gone for an hour
all I had to do was advance the throttle. I circled the
field at 300ft landed taxied to the line then saw his
car coming. When he saw me the s--- hit the fan.
He had stopped on way and saw his plane flying so
came back. A month later we drove to Newark and
bought surplus OX5 for $90 from Karl Ort he had
hundreds of them.
Vicki, my SEAFA with 30 years seniority, was of-
fered a two-year furlough after 9/11 and will retire
then. She is RN and is now a Director of Nurses.
Her son was a mechanic in the USAF and obtained
all his pilot licenses, had 1000 hours and is now
flying for Chicago Express making $17,000 a year,
not much but he’s flying and loving it.
In October I had rotator cuff surgery, a real bad
one, won’t be ab1e to play golf for five months. I
shot my age prior to surgery fist time.
Still spending three months of the winter in our RV
in San Diego, golfing three times a week.
I’m still carpentering, build three decks and a
kitchen remodel this past summer.
Many thanks to all involved with RUPANEWS. Sid
B.P “BOB” HUSKEY—100 Arbor Ln, Hender-
sonville, NC 28791 bhuskey@bigfoot.com
Approaching seven wonderful years of retirement.
Retirement is better than I had any right to expect.
It remains to be seen whether or not the retirements
of us old guys will be badly effected by UAL’s pre-
sent financial straits. It goes without saying that
the careers of lots of the remaining folks at UAL
will be adversely effected. We can only hope the
situation will improve. Bob
PHIL & LINDA JACH—106 Parmelee Dr. Hud-
son, OH 44236 jach@gwis.com
23
Dear Cleve, My 61st birthday is fast approaching
and, as it has been with so many other retirees, I
find it hard to believe that the first year has gone by
so fast. Our first year of retirement has been fan-
tastic in all respects; we couldn’t have asked for
more.
With the joy that all of our activities and traveling
has brought to us has also come the overwhelming
presence of the UAL bankruptcy and now the real-
ity that the company that we have loved and
worked so hard for all of these past 32 years is in
fact bankrupt. Hard to believe and hard to accept
but nevertheless a reality! At this point we can
only hope for the best but expect the worst from the
bankruptcy court.
Above all, we are still planning for the future and
the enjoyments of retirement that are yet to come.
Our best wishes to all of our United friends; and
until next year the check is now in the mail. Cheers,
Phil
CALVIN P. JASSMANN—1333 Charles Dr. #19,
Longmont CO 80503
Nineteen years next month. No use for me to com-
ment on the current UAL problem other than to say
it is very disturbing. Still have Comanche 250, in
fact working on annual at present time. Address
after January 1 will be 7746 East Laguna Azul Ave.
#263; Mesa, AZ 85208.
Thanks for all the work and the RUPANEWS. Cal
DONALD S. JOHNSON—7287 S Verbena Way,
Englewood, CO 80112
Cleve, Another year has rolled around and it’s been
a busy one. We took a trip on the rivers of Europe
from Budapest to Amsterdam by river boat and a
cruise around the southern tip of South America
leaving from Rio and ending at Santiago. Both trips
were great and we were blest with good weather,
especially in the area of Tierra Del Fuego at the
southern tip of South America which has a reputa-
tion for bad weather.
Our daughter got married in July and some remod-
eling of her basement has filled out the year.
Just heard the announcement of the bankruptcy; it’s
hard to believe our government would not guaran-
tee the loan to keep us out of this situation. A year
ago they told the mechanics they could not strike
because United was important to the transportation
system.
24
Keep up the good work on keeping the retirees in-
formed. It will take a while for the dust to settle but
hope we all come out of it without losing too much.
Don
LOWELL JOHNSTON—1789 Mitchell Ct, Day-
tona Beach, FL 32128 lej1789@aol.com
Another year has rolled past. Anne and I are doing
fine and enjoying life at Spruce Creek Fly-In.
Keeping busy with golf and flying the Bonanza.
Still have those dreams of flying the line, but it
seems to be a good time now to be outside looking
in. I just hope that United will prevail through these
times and not become the next Eastern and Pam
Am. Even just a few years ago it would have
seemed impossible what we are seeing today.
Check is in the mail to Cleve for postage. I want to
thank everyone involved with RUPA and the
RUPA newsletter for a fine job, It is appreciated.
Note new E-mail address as I had to change when I
switched to the United/Aol deal. Lowell
LOWELL E. JOHNSTON—1789 Mitchell Ct,
Daytona Beach, FL 32128 Lej1789@aol.com
Another year has rolled past. Anne and I are doing
fine and enjoying life at Spruce Creek Fly-In.
Keeping busy with golf and flying the Bonanza.
Still have those dreams of flying the line, but it
seems to be a good time now to be outside looking
in. I just hope that United will prevail through these
times and not become the next Eastern and Pam
Am. Even just a few years ago it would have
seemed impossible what we are seeing today.
I want to thank everyone involved with RUPA and
RUPANEWS for a fine job, it is appreciated. Note
new E-mail address as I had to change when I
switched to the United/aol deal. Lowell
DAVE JONES— 2304 Falcon Trace Ln, No-
komis, FL 34275 davebetty@earthlink.net
Since I missed reporting last birthday year's month
I will try to catch up with one brief check-in. Betty
and I are still enjoying the benefits of mild winters
in Sarasota, FL and the cool mountains in Waynes-
ville, NC. We continue to enjoy relatively good
health thanks to good medical facilities and good
doctors. I experienced a major "hiccup" health
wise last May when I suddenly, and for no known
reason, contracted bacterial meningitis and en-
cephalitis. I spent a month in the hospital and addi-
February, 2003 RUPANEWS
tional 6 weeks in rehab and therapy. Thank God
and Betty, who served as my Guardian Angel, I am
fully recovered.
My golf game went completely south, but I'm out
there trying 3 days a week. I have the traditional
retiree medical plan and the amount paid through
Blue Cross Blue Shield was truly mind boggling.
Yesterday I attended the monthly luncheon of the
Southwest Florida retirees held in Ft. Myers and
there were many questions about the UAL bank-
ruptcy and its possible affects on our benefits. Lots
of questions and very few answers. Time will tell.
Thanks to all who keep us informed through the
RUPANEWS. Dave
TIM JOSLIN SR.—PO Box 54316, Redondo,
WA 98054 ‘65-‘01 DCA, SFO,DTW, SFO, SEA,
ORD, SEA timcheriljoslin@yahoo.com
As a guy with big ears, freckles and a Howdy
Doody grin once said, "What me worry?". I have
been using a lot of body English these days when it
comes to the travails of UAL, Inc. Nobody likes to
contemplate pay cuts, but if the alternative is unem-
ployment, the decision is a no-brainer. Right? The
Bankruptcy Court did the right thing in regards to
the Machinists. The post-1985 pension plan is sub-
ject to change and those of us with an unqualified
pension payments are about to become disquali-
fied! Those early social security payments are
starting to look like an attractive financial choice.
Right now, for the retired employees of UAL, Inc.,
the bankruptcy proceedings are a spectator sport.
Well enough about that!
In spite of checking the financial news every day,
Cheril and I are enjoying retirement. We have been
taking short trips to our favorite U.S. cities when
the urge suits us. When I married Cheril a little
over 10 years ago, I became a shirt tail relative in a
rather large extended family. This keeps us busy
with visits and reunions. Cheril has 4 grandchil-
dren and I have one. My youngest daughter, Jaala,
is currently serving with the Peace Corps in
Chengdu, Sichuan, PRC. My son, Tim Jr., is a 3rd
year medical student at George Washington U. in
Wash. D.C. My other daughter, Melissa, lives lo-
cally with my only grandchild. We live right on
Puget Sound in Redondo, WA and really enjoy our
home.
Thank you to everyone responsible for the RUPA
publication. It is the best!! Tim
February, 2003 RUPANEWS
BOB KALLESTAD—26958 Lauderdale Ave,
Hayward, CA 94545 capkal_99@yahoo.com
Hi Cleve: 12 years have passed since I last set the
Parking Brake. It's also been quite a while since I
contributed to the newsletter and wouldn't you
know it--the week I pick to say a few words the
Company declares bankruptcy. Simply put, I hope
all the parties involved can voluntarily cooperate to
get the cost structure down to a level that will again
make UAL a premier competitive airline.
Canada, in late June, continues (14 years) to be my
destination for big fish. We drive to the end of the
road in Ontario and then fly into an Explorer Camp
for 10 days of the best Walleye and Northern Pike
fishing there is. I know, come hell or high water
that I'm going to catch that 48 inch Northern (we've
come close) before it's all over.
I still get the urge to head for HNL 3-4 times a year
so that I can scare myself half to death on the surf-
board. Jim Davis and I still have the original surf-
board (KEOKI) in a locker at the Waikiki Beach
Center. George Krock transported the board from
LAX in the belly of a DC8. To the best of my
memory, that was in the late 60's. That board was
long (11'), wide and thick (for stability) and over
the years it has been vandalized, stolen, repainted,
repossessed and still waits in the locker hoping
someone will take it out for a ride. There used to
be a bunch of UAL guys and gals that did the surf-
ing thing on layovers. The original KEOKI group
consisted of George Krock, Walt Albright and
Norm Marchment from LAX and Jim Davis and
myself from SFO. Also, Jobbie Jobson, Herb
Goodrich, Dick Tobie, Chuck Wilson, John
Schmitz, Bob Schisler, John Vulcanoff and even
Cam McEachern gave it a try. Some of the gals
that I remember were Mary McKean (she later mar-
ried George), Gaye Dentraygue, Sandy Babcock,
Kitty Fast, Margerite Edwards--and I know there
were others.
Enough! Check following via S.M. Bob
FRED KOEHLER—715 Bella Vista Dr, Titus-
ville, FL 32780
Dear Cleve, Fred and I enjoy the RUPANEWS and
say thank you to those who make it possible.
Fred has had a tough year, cancer of his throat and
tongue. Radiation, surgery and now chemo ther-
apy. God willing, this will do it. Through it all he
has maintained a never give up, never give in atti-
25
tude with a smile, quite a man!
Our very best wishes go out to all. May there al-
ways be “a friendly skies.” Regards, Claudia & Fred
TED KRYDER—PO Box 712, White Pine TN
37890
All is well here at the Kryder household, looking to
Thanksgiving and the family.
Working on the Aztec, flying it some, saving up for
fuel etc. Wow, fixed income and stock market are
cause to reflect on our real blessings.
Many thanks to all of you who pipe the sunshine in
to the TN hills. Hope to be on time next year????
October must have been a busy month. Ted & Laura
STEVE LAURANCE— PO Box 579, Redmond,
OR 97756 oldualer@quik.com
Greetings to Cleve et al, Since 2001 brought us
9/11 & 2002 brought Chapter 11, it kind of makes
you wonder what 2003 will have in store for us.
We have done no traveling other than visiting rela-
tives. We are in reasonably good health so we are
thankful for that. I took a job with TSA (I know,
the bad guys) last October since our pensions don't
look so solid. The best thing about the job is the 8
minute drive to work.
Check is in the mail. Best to all, Steve
CLARK E. LUTHER—1498 SE Brewster Pl, Stu-
art, FL luth747@bellsouth.net
Dear Cleve: Enclosed is a small check to cover
mailing costs for 2003 and a little more to use
wherever the need is greatest.
I wanted to be sure and get this check in during my
birth month since I will probably be out of circula-
tion for the balance of the year.
2002 has not been a good year, health-wise, but I
should be out of the woods after my legs receive
by- pass surgery to correct poor circulation. I have
had this problem for some time but it has pro-
gressed to the point that surgery is the only alterna-
tive left. Even angioplasty won’t correct the prob-
lem now, so I am scheduled for bypass surgery next
Tuesday. Recovery plus another several weeks and
back to surgery for the other leg!!
Hopefully, I will be back on the golf course by
early spring of 2003.
Regards to all and particular thanks to all who
make the Newsletter possible. Sincerely, Clark
26
RUSSELL R. MADDOX—2252 La Granada
Dr,Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
russmdx@adelphia.net
Dear Cleve: The check is in the mail, on time this
year, (give or take a few days). This week marks 4
years of retirement. I guess the crew desk is not go-
ing to call me any more.
Jan and I are still in good health and have been able
to take 2 cruises this year, one to Alaska, and just
returned from a 7 day Mexican Riviera cruise on
Holland America's ship the Ryndam. Last month I
received our A plan annual report (actually 2 re-
ports for 2 different periods) and I'm having a prob-
lem with the numbers. Under the old plan, (Dec 1,
2000 to Nov 30, 2001) the report showed plan as-
sets on Nov 30, 2001 to be 1.969 billion
($1,969,802,000). Under the new plan year, Jan 1,
2001 to Dec 31,2001, the value of plan assets on
Dec 31, 2001 was 3.325 billion ($3,325,486,845).
Now unless I'm missing something, between Nov.
30,2001 and Dec.31, 2001 (a one month period),
The value of the plans assets increased 1.365 bil-
lion. That must have been one hell of a month, be-
cause I don't believe UAL made any contributions
at that time. That also means that 2002 was a disas-
ter for our plan. UAL must have had all our money
in Enron and Global Crossing stock. I believe the
market in 2002 is down about 30%. So how did we
go from 3+ billion to underfunded in 1 year??
I really appreciate the work you, Jock and all the
others who write the RUPANEWS do. Happy Holi-
days, and may 2003 be a better year for all of us.
Regards! Russ
ROBERT V. MAGDALENO—PO Box 325,
Royal Oak, MD 21662
Dear Cleve, Enclosed is my annual postage check.
This first year in retirement has been am Annus
Horribilus, [that’s Latin for “shitty Year” Ed.] I
just hope the second year isn’t the same.
Yesterday, the Airline Transportation Stabilization
Board gave us the “Finger-wave”, choosing to deny
the 1.8 billion dollar loan guarantee to United, opt-
ing instead to de-stabilize the company and push it
along toward bankruptcy. I often wonder how
much of a role AMR (American Airlines) played in
this by lobbying the White House. It is reminiscent
of the time prior to deregulation when LBJ was in
the White House and most of the route awards went
to American. Same old game with a new cast of
February, 2003 RUPANEWS
characters. Too bad Bush wasn’t a Chicagoan in-
stead.
Thanks to you and the crew who get the RU-
PANEWS out to us. Here’s hoping 2003 might be a
kinder, gentler road for the retirees and UAL. Sin-
cerely, Bob
JOHN E. MALONE, SR—5506 NW 91st Blvd,
Gainesville, FL 32653
Dear Cleve & Jock, Happy to enclose check to re-
ceive the great newsletter.
Retired three years now, spent the whole time up
until this October cruising on our 58’ motor yacht.
Spent the first year cruising the Gulf of Mexico as
far as New Orleans. Spent some time in the Keys
and went up the east coast in 2001 as far as the
Chesapeake Bay. On 9/11 we were docked across
the river from the Pentagon and heard the plane
crash there. Since the waterways were closed for a
while we had to stay in Washington longer than
planned.
This year we cruised all the way up the east coast
as far as New England. On the trip back south
someone saw the boat, just had to have it, so in Oc-
tober moved to Gainesville, FL to be near most of
the family.
Keep up the good work. Who knows what’s ahead.
John
H. W. DOC MANNY—1306 S. Fleming Rd,
Woodstock, IL 60098 DManny1008@aol.com
Seems like I just did this a couple months ago. I'm
slowing down and the time goes faster.
Nothing has changed. I don't travel, just stay here at
home and nursemaid my trees, replanting a few
each year that the deer have ruined. Had to give up
golf so the trees give me something to do - there are
only 2,500 so it's no big deal.
My sincere appreciation and thanks to all who are
responsible for the RUPANEWS. Doc
REX MAY—6677 Vista Del Mar, Playa Del Rey,
CA 90293 wrecksmay@aol.com
It's been a few years since my last "birthday letter."
I seemed to coast right by #70 and #71 is coming
right up. It was 11 years ago that I landed and was
four hours late for my retirement debriefing party.
Linda and I travel frequently with a group made up
of UA retirees with a few business types mixed in.
This year we chartered a barge in Amsterdam and
February, 2003 RUPANEWS
meandered through Holland and Belgium. We have
some interesting union/management discussions
with a boatload of Captains and CEOs. (I do have
to put up with Gary Johnson but that's a small price
to pay.) You'd also think that it would be hard to
reach a decision with that group. But not really...
We just do what the wives tell us to do. We have
had some marvelous trips.
I'm still running and at present I'm gearing up for
the LA Marathon. This year I might have to give
up the idea of always finishing under four hours.
I was reminiscing the other day about the diligent
research and careful planning (or maybe lack of it)
that got me into aviation. In the spring of 1952 I
was attending a small college in Kearney, NE. I
was thinking of enlisting. I was studying for a
physics exam and went to a campus cafe for a cof-
fee break. In the cafe was a sophisticated looking
naval officer by the name of Lt. George. He asked
me if I would like to be a naval aviator. The
thought was totally beyond my comprehension.
But, lo and behold, two months later I found myself
at NAS Pensacola as a naval aviation cadet. About
three and a half years later, New Year's Eve 1955, a
friend and I entered a bar in Red Bank, New Jersey.
We were sporting 1st Lt. bars and gold wings (I had
opted for the Marine Corps) expecting to dazzle the
New Jersey ladies. Instead, we ended up celebrat-
ing with a UA pilot by the name of Marv Odom.
He said "Why don't you go to work for United?"
My reaction to that was, once again, "Duh? How
would I do that?" The following summer I was
starting a 35 1/5 year career with United Airlines.
My research and planning paid off again. In my
case, it was better to be lucky than smart. Thanks
Lt. George. Thanks, Capt. Odom.
I really don't like long letters and I just wrote one.
Rex
DONALD J. MC DERMOTT—6934 Bobby-
boyar Ave, West Hills, CA 91307 LAXFO
It’s been a year now since the death of one of the
finest gentlemen I have ever known - Emmett M.
Oehlert. I first met Emmett when I arrived at LAX
as a brand new B727 S/O in July 1965. Things
were moving rapidly then and I had a line of flying
my first full month and Emmett was the Captain.
During that month he took me aside and said, “I
know you are having a tough time making it on
$500 a month with a wife and three sons. If you
27
need anything, and I mean anything, to get you
through these first couple of years, I want you to let
me know”. He was that generous with most every-
one. He used to tell me, “Don, if you ever have
rental property and you get a good tenant, lower the
rent the second year so they will stay with you”.
Emmett was a very positive person who loved his
wife and was very proud of his son Fred.
One month in the early 1970’s I was flying co-pilot
for him. We had a Vancouver layover and, as it was
winter, YVR was fogged in. In those days the Ca-
nadian DOT regs allowed almost Zero Zero take
offs (Military Minimums). They us a “follow me”
truck to guide you to the active runway and line
you up for take off. Emmett looked over at me and
said, “Don, have you ever done this before?”. I an-
swered, “Yes sir, many times in the Air Defense
Command”. He said, “you have it, it’s your take
off’. So I locked the F/D in “heading mode” and we
took off for SEA breaking out of 1,000 ft. That’s
the way Emmett ran his cockpit. He loved to smoke
his pipe and sometimes he would get carried away
and the pipe performed like a miniature volcano.
He would then be slapping his legs to put out the
burning ashes. He told us that he would have to buy
2-4 new pairs of uniform pants each year because
of that pipe.
It’s a small world as we all know. My middle son,
Michael, was checking out as a Navy Flight Sur-
geon in January 1992 at Pensacola, FL. His flight
instructor turned out to be Emmett’s stepson, Lt.
Douglas Herrick. Phone numbers were exchanged
and Emmett called me one evening to say hello and
tell me, “not to work too much longer as there was
a lot left to enjoy in life and it could be over sooner
than we think”.
I know that you miss him terribly Mrs. Oehlert —
all those who knew him do! Don
ROBERT E. MC KINSTRY—27263 Baileys
Neck Rd, Easton, MD 21601
Dear Cleve, I can’t believe 20 years have passed
since I set the brakes for the last time at ORD. I
sure hope the company can weather this latest cri-
sis.
We have had a fairly good year. In May I had my
left hip replaced and that has slowed me down for
awhile. I tried a little golf late this fall, and believe
come spring I’ll be OK. I sure can’t shoot my age
like a lot of you guys, but I have fun.
28
Helen Jane and I celebrated our 60th anniversary
last October, with many parties with relatives and
friends.
I really enjoy the RUPANEWS, don’t see many
names I recognize, but the comments are always
interesting. Keep up the good work, and I hope
everyone has a great 2003. Regards, Bob
RICHARD A. MC MAKIN—24926 Nobottom
Rd, Olmsted Township, OH 44138
Cleve: Only missed the birthday by one month—
not bad. The last year has been interesting, scary
and disappointing. Well we have weathered the 7
½ year furlough, winter of 77, strike of 85 and now
this. Good luck to all of us.
In addition, have just been handed the reins of the
North Coasters (Cleveland Crazies) from Dick Orr,
who with Don Karaiskos started our chapter. Still a
wonderful group of friends and very important to
all of us. Hope I can do as well as he has.
Thanks for your help and contributions. Richard
JACK MCCLURE—29001 Highway 141, White-
water, CO 81527 jackmaril@earthlink.net
Just wanted to wish all a healthy and happy New
Year and especially our beloved United. I have
always been faithful to both ALPA and UNITED.
The troublesome leaders we have had were short
timers, not the faithful kind of people that made
this company and can still make this company
great. Maril and I are optimistic and express this
feeling to our traveling public friends and hope you
will too.
As for our update we still live in FL, Oct thru Apr
and CO the rest of the year. Our FL location is ten
miles east of Ft. Myers on the Orange River, a nice
sleepy little tropical river. We built a log home in
CO four years ago on part of the ranch Maril’s dad
grew up on and her uncle still ranches. We have
part-time grazing for 9 Llamas, 2 steers, 2 horses
(one is 30 years old and I spoil him), and 3 goats
named Wizard, Eddie, and Wednesday. It makes a
really nice change for us and two great groups of
friends. I usually trailer my motorcycle back and
forth but rode it last spring so we could move some
furniture in the trailer. It was more fun to ride any-
way.
I can't believe I will be 70 next June, still riding,
scuba diving, and don't take any pills. However
most of the time I'm just the gardener with sex
February, 2003 RUPANEWS
privileges, and not enough of that! Just joking!
In case some of you Coloradoans still remember us,
we are located in one of the most beautiful parts of
the state. It’s approximately 40 miles SW of Grand
Junction on highway 141 at the 125 mile marker.
A Log house with green roof and pole barn on the
south side of the road. Stop by for a chat and re-
fresh while enjoying this part of the state. The
same goes for the FL family. We are in the phone
book both places. Maril still does some part-time
nursing but mainly loves the critters and her com-
puter.
Jake the 10yr old Lab is showing his age but still
wags his tail most of the time. Abby (short for
abandoned) our rescued Aus Shepherd turned out to
be a wonderful dog. Too bad the original owners
couldn't figure that out.
Life is good and we wish you all the best. Jungle
Jack & Maril
CAM MCEACHERN—236 Valdez Ave, Half
Moon Bay, CA 94019 CamMcEachern@aol.com
Jock & Cleve, Mile marker 69 blew by last month.
Man, they're sure going by fast.
Highlight of our year was a 4 day stint in San Juan
followed by 11 days on Princess to Acapulco,
where we boarded a United B757 charter to SFO.
The Interline Cruise Store has some offers even a
Scot can't refuse. Side trips included HNL, DEN &
Bradenton, FL.
The year was capped off by having all but two of
our immediate family members with us for Christ-
mas/New Year celebrations. All in all, a good year
for us. The check is in the mail to Cleve. We'll see
you at the next F&S session. Slainte, Cam
ROBERT L. MONCUR—9006 Sheringham Dr,
Roscoe, IL 61073
Thank you for all the time and effort in behalf of
the retirees. I can’t believe how fast the time goes
by.
We’ve had a pretty good year, in that we got to take
all of our kids and grandkids on a cruise this year.
We did a lot of diving and snorkeling in the Carib-
bean, maybe too much, because everyone wanted to
go again as soon as possible.
I have been among the group that helps out at the
museum of science and industry, with the B-727.
It’s fun to talk to people about what a great plane it
was and all about airplanes in general. I’ve had
February, 2003 RUPANEWS
guys that worked at Boeing and on the 727 come in
and tell me stories about how it was built. We swap
stories and everyone has a good time. Thanks
again, Bob
WILLIAM J. MOORE—2726 Riceville Dr.,
Henderson NV 89052
Just completed three months rehab for a knee re-
placement. Good Dr. and lady therapist, maybe the
best. Most organized and cooperative office staff I
have seen in years. Office and surgery all in a large
hospital, two miles from home.
I already have 125 degree bending, and within one
degree of straight. Seems like a year of bending and
stretching is needed to make perfect; along with
walking, swimming, bike, stair-steppers and
strength machines – and there is a fine line between
doing enough and too much.
I’ll be happy to talk to anyone with a bum knee.
Hoping United is back in ten months. United man-
agement and labor just didn’t get it.
Best regards, Bill
WHITEY MYERS—1056 Elsbree Ln, Windsor,
CA 95492
Hi Cleve, Three years since retirement ... hard to
believe. As I write this, UAL is planning probable
bankruptcy in the next few days. This is a sad and
difficult time for employees, and retirees.
Aside from that, life has been good. Cheryl and I
spent seven months aboard the "Cheryl Ann" this
year, three months of that time cruising to Alaska
and back. Quite an adventure (that's the word that
describes it; not vacation). We're glad we went, but
will keep our boating within a couple hundred
miles of our home port of Bellingham, in '03.
Soon after we came home (Windsor, CA), we
climbed aboard the Rotterdam in FLL to enjoy
eleven days cruising with the RUPA tribe. Saw
many friends I hadn't seen in a while.
Many thanks to all of you who keep RUPA up and
going. The checks in the mail. I also want to com-
mend Jock on his thorough response to a recent,
very political letter. Well done! Regards, Whitey
JOHN N. NASH—12 Page Ln, Greenville, SC
29607
Late again and this time really late. I guess it is old
age and so busy doing nothing that I forget. Seri-
ously I’m sorry this was so late.
29
Things are about the same here in SC. Other than a
drive to CA to deliver an auto to nl~ daughter and a
trip or two back to Chicago to see the other one I
have pretty much remained around the home place.
My friends can’t understand why I’m not traveling
all the time but like most of us, been there done
that.
Health is good, no thanks to my exercising and
good eating habits hut who is to complain.
Maybe next year there will be more to report. Now
I’m like everyone else, just wondering what is go-
ing to happen to the world’s “best” airline. John
BOB NORRIS—470 Neptune Dr, Redwood City,
CA 94065 650-508-1079
I seem to recall I am overdue in paying my dues
and do not recall recently receiving the RU-
PANEWS. . .so I need to get back into the fold. Af-
ter 9/11 the Captain‘s Board Interview Prep pro-
gram came to a scratching halt. So I am now a
prostitute doing business as a quote, “EXPERT
WITNESS” which requires I give depositions, ap-
peared at trials, do research, which requires much
time and I am still learning how to avoid being
caught in traps set by opposing attorneys.
For the past six years, I have been writing the
monthly technical articles for the Airline Pilot Ca-
reers magazine and recently ventured into writing
an autobiography of my mountain climbing and
flying adventures; Solo... to fly.. .to climb, pub-
lished by Xlibris Corporation.
We were fortunate to locate a Canadian Fleet 16B
biplane I owned “50” years ago, purchased it, had
new fabric installed, radio, ELT, Transponder,
starter (none of these required in “1951”) and the
engine overhauled. By April, the plane was flying
and we have had much fun buzzing around in it.
The open cockpit is noisy and rushing air makes 2
hours about all my wife Dee can take, then she’s
done.
With the UAL cutbacks, son Craig, who was flying
captain on the B-737, will be moving back to the
right seat...at least he still has a job...management
sure screwed up a “great airline.” Well hope
“2003” treats all well...Bob & Dee
MIRIAM & JOHN O'CONNELL— 1724 W.
Motel Rd. Sycamore, IL 60178 or 4933 Summit
Circle Prescott, AZ 86301 SFO-ORD ’56 ‘90
mmoc@tbcnet.com
30
Happy New Year to all out there in retirement land.
Usually try to get this sent before the Dec deadline
but it just doesn't work out. Anyway check enroute
to Cleve. Thank you to all of the key players who
keep us so well informed and the organization up
and running. Could be that UAL management
should have asked for some advice before running
things into the ground.
We have had a good year, started off with a visit to
Bali, great spot and our timing was good. The is-
land is so dependent on tourism and were hurting
then so they must be devastated now.
We cannot turn back the clock, but do enjoy some
of the remember when comments. One of my crew
members showed up for the trip with his hat (that
was the big push then, "Wear your hat") but no
pants. Who Where???
Thank You Again.........God Bless, John
FRED W. OLDHAM—411 Via Mesa Grande,
Redondo Beach, CA 90277 oldhiflyr1@aol.com
Dear Cleve, Another year another buck and a half -
- - down the drain!
It doesn’t seem that it can be 13 years since I
strapped on a seat belt in the cockpit of an Unitidy
Aircrafters machine. Time flies, and this was the
3rd seat! It’s 18 years since anybody called me
Captain.
My 3 ½ year bride, Beth, and I have been curtailed
somewhat in traveling, since Beth’s Mom (95 yrs
young) has been living with us. About 3 years ago,
Mom had a total stomach blockage and was in the
hospital. Surgery was great, but 2 days before com-
ing home, she had a series of small strokes. Until
this year, we have cared for her at home; but now
she is in a very nice home close by.
The end of October, Beth & I tried to fly to Sydney
on Monday and Tuesday nites. Both times the flight
was weight limited with mail & cargo, so no SA’s
got on.
Not to be deprived of a short vacation, on Wednes-
day we drove to the Napa Valley, where Beth had
never been. Afterwards we visited Folsom, CA
where Beth’s daughter lives (she reminds everyone
she’s OUTSIDE the prison gates).
Not too much exciting going on, but the days just
seem to go flying by.
Enclosed please find the yearly stipend for postage
and a little extra for the beer fund for the folders &
stuffers. Fred
February, 2003 RUPANEWS
BILL OLIVER—4303 Gull Cove, New Smyrna
Beach, FL 32169
Hi Jock: This is a true story about our lost friend. I
was a crew scheduler, and I was working midnights
on the crew desk. In walks Captain Bill Dunkle on
a late trip out of LAX. Bill leans over the counter
and says, “Ollie I got my ticket on the Convair.” I
got my scissors from the desk, and cut his tie in
half. From that day on Bill would hold his tie when
we were talking. He was one of the great guys; one
that does not come along very often. Have a very
smooth trip my friend "Dunk."
I hope you can help me with the history of our
UAL pilots. I went to work for UAL in SFO in Oc-
tober of 1946 after getting out of the USA Army
Air Corps. (My UAL history CFO 46) with the
merger of Capital, off to PIT. My next move was
on to DCA and a regional job in Flight Operations.
I then moved to DEN as the Assistant to the Flight
Operations Manager. After I got 52 years, I retired
and returned to my hometown, San Jose. I am
cleaning out my den and came across three old
pages with names of pilots:
LIST OF GRADUATES Boeing School of Aero-
nautics Tracy California.
The three pages give the names from October 14,
1940 to November 1941. Listed below are some of
the names you might know:
Lloyd Treece, Augie Heidt, Hal Taylor, JR "Russ"
Cottle, Ed Heft, Tommy Bergbower, Jay Nelson,
"Pudge" Berlin, Art Lutz, Ned Simpson.
I believe these three sheets should be in some area
where they will be preserved & shown to the future
UALers. If you can help me, please send a name or
names I can give these sheets to along with other
UAL memorabilia.
On November 29th I had a great 80th birthday party
with a few friends and relatives to do the honors.
February, 2003 RUPANEWS
Last month, we flew MCO-SFO a shuttle to SAC
and drove to Placerville, where I have a son and
daughter living. They love that area.
My book, The Inner Seven is in its second printing.
The book is about seven fighter pilots who were
aces in WW II and also aces in the Korean conflict.
If anyone is interested, drop me a note to the above
address. I am a member of the Sandabs & NE FL
who meet once a month. I try not to miss their
meetings.
Sure enjoy RUPANEWS & keep them coming. Best
regards to all. Bill
PS--I lived in San Carlos (on the hill) when I was in
SFO. Have a, great Holiday Season, and FYI you
put out a First Class RUPANEWS .
Bill: Send your artifacts to the address which is al-
ways listed in the latest RUPANEWS – currently:
United Airlines Historical Foundation, United Air-
lines Flight Center Mail Room – Attn: Tom Ange-
los, 7401 Martin Luther King Blvd., Denver CO
80207 Phone 303-780-5537. Let us hope that there
will be future UALers to admire it. Ed.
DENIS J. O’MALLEY—10310 Grandview Dr,
La Mesa, CA 91941 palmsup@earthlink.net 619-
447-6588
Dear Jock; I was a bit distracted last year and didn’t
write, but did send the postage. It’s on its way
again this year, and I surely enjoy the monthly let-
ters. Before my birthday last year, they found two
tumors in my bladder that was the major cause of
my distraction. They were removed in January and
most of the year seemed to be spent dealing with
tubes and vaccine treatments that tended to negate a
half century of fun I had with that area.
Bladder cancer is caused by smoking which many
of us did 30 years ago, but no one I know seems to
have heard that was something to be feared. The
31
tumors come up like weeds, they say, and the treat-
ment requires that a BCG biological (similar to a
TB vaccine) be inserted weekly to stimulate the
immune system to fight the weeds.
Fortunately, the warnings (serious blood) in the
urine give an early warning before the tumors pene-
trate through the wall where they can spread inter-
nally. The “scope” in Nov. gave us a clear view of
no recurrences. Another scope-check in Feb. is on
tap. I’m sure I don’t have to warn, but don’t take
blood passing lightly. Unfortunately, some do.
Still raising palm trees on my 6 acres of nurseries
in El Cajon and at home in La Mesa; not much time
for selling, but I’m enjoying and keeping very
busy. Haven't had much time to visit our condo on
Maui, but after Feb. probably, this year. Regards,
Denis
CINDY O'NEILL wallaby1@attbi.com
I would like to thank whom ever submitted the
obituary paragraph for > Larry A. Kingry, that ap-
peared in the December, 2002 RUPA newsletter. It
could have been Brent Revert, Herb Breivik, Mike
Carlin, Bruce Miller or many others. I had looked
for something in the November issue but did not
see a mention of him and was intending on submit-
ting something myself. I am Larry's "significant
other" and appreciate seeing him mentioned in the
newsletter. I know of his love of flying the B747-
400 for United, his appreciation of good literature,
his love for his Steinway grand and those who
could play it better than he, and his recently ac-
quired passion of flying helicopters. Add to that
his love for friends and family and you have a
pretty amazing man. Larry never met an obstacle,
nor a stranger, and definitely lived "larger than
life", packing more into 59 years than any other
person I have ever met. Mr. Jet will be missed not
only by those who flew with him, but those he met
along the way, and most certainly by me.
Thank you, Cindy O'Neill
RICHARD N. ORR—1471 Arthur Dr, Wooster,
OH 44691
Dear Cleve, I can remember saying to myself when
I first joined RUPA, “Why don’t these guys get
their dues in on time?” Well, here I am two months
late getting my dues to you. Being late has one ad-
vantage it takes me into the month where I can
wish you and yours
32
MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW
YEAR!!
I am retiring as the area representative of the North
Coasters and will be replaced by Captain Richard
McMakin in January, 2003.
This has been a very rewarding post for almost ten
years, and I look forward to the continued growth
of this group under his leadership. My thanks go to
you and all the leaders of RUPA for your dedica-
tion and hours of service to the membership. Best
Regards, Dick
JOHN PEDRETTI— 19176 Farallon Rd, Madera,
CA 93638 LAXFO ‘61-‘94 pedret-
ti2000@yahoo.com
Hi Jock-Checks in the mail to Cleve. One month
early I might add. I do not want to expire.
It is a sad day to see what has happened to our once
great and proud airline. I guess there is enough
blame to go around for everybody, but I sure thank
you for a great reply to Ed Carrol's letter. It seems
like we started downhill in 1985 but things looked
up when the Ferret was fired. I hope this bank-
ruptcy can shoot holes in some of those golden
parachutes.
On another note it will be 9 years of retirement next
February and I still miss the people and the flying.
It was a good year as my bride and I celebrated our
5 anniversaries. We enjoyed lots of good RVing.
I hope this finds you in good health, Jock and I
thank you all for the great work all of you people
do for RUPA. Happy Holidays to all. John
CHARLES O. PETERSON—1006 Heron Way,
Woodstock, IL 60098 ORDFO
Cleve, I looked on the mailing label and was
shocked to see I am in arrears. Anyway here is a
check to take me out in the future. What a mess at
good old United. I guess we are lucky to have it
behind us. It’s probably the only good thing about
getting older. I am still flying my Bonanza and last
year added a Champ to my fleet Life is good. My e-
mail address is copeters@mindspring.com fur any-
one interested.
Thank you for all of your dedicated service to us
all. Chuck
MATT POLESKI—PO Box 649, Belvidere, IL
61008
Dear Cleve, I’ve been trying to forget birthdays of
February, 2003 RUPANEWS
late and regret that the birthday dues got lost in that
mind set.
Like many other retirees, I am concerned about
what the future holds regarding the pension and
medical benefits, but realize that there is little one
can do or say; only to accept what blessings are
provided along the journey of life.
Shortly after leaving UAL, I was working as a pilot
for a charter company and was laid off after the
business downsized. Since then, my wonderful wife
Colleen and I fly occasionally in an old Piper Ar-
row that was resurrected from a heap of parts in a
Wisconsin T-hangar.
I do miss seeing all of my former workmates, as
they were a highlight to the job. They were interest-
ing people and made working a fun experience,
equal to the awesome equipment with which we
were entrusted to operate.
For now, I will stay busy as an A&P mechanic at a
local airport, since I cannot see sitting around,
watching the days go by. Now the young mechan-
ics are teaching this old fellow the tricks of their
trade.
I wish everyone good health, abundant laughter and
pray that our circumstances will turn out for the
good of us all. Best wishes, Matt
GERRY PRYDE—5504 Sealawn Ave. NE, Ta-
coma, WA 98422
Dick Cosgrave spent an enormous amount of time
representing pilots. He went through all the chairs,
Co-Pilot Rep., Captain Rep., Negotiating Commit-
tee Member, then Chairman, System Board Mem-
ber, System Schedule Committee, Pension Com-
mittee, MEC Chairman along with several national
ALPA committees and after retirement did a 10
year stint as a mediator with the National Medita-
tion Board. He participated in the Class and Craft
arbitration, two crew complement arbitrations, the
United/Capital merger and the combined agreement
negotiations. He then took a break for a few years
flying the line out of Los Angeles and moving to
Seattle to take advantage of our fishing and a little
golf.
I talked him into coming back and handling the ex-
pedited negotiation in 1976. Or rather, I talked his
wife Rose into allowing him leave with a promise
of a short negotiation. True to form he and his
committee were successful in reaching an agree-
ment a few months before the expiration of our
February, 2003 RUPANEWS
then current agreement. Unprecedented, never hap-
pened before and we all kidded the committee
about no retroactive pay.
We soon found a new task for him, the Flight Op-
erations Representative on Mr. Ferris’s high level
committee to review United’s routes, equipment
aircraft routing, etc. This committee did a total re-
view of the whole airline and Dick was a signifi-
cant contributor to their findings.
He replaced me as MEC Chairman and extracted
my promise to be available if needed. He stuck me
with a four year national officer job in 1978.
Before coming to United Dick was a part of the
“Greatest Generation” in the Army Air Force. He
flew B-17s in England and did a stint as General
Dwight Eisenhower’s personal pilot. He requested
to go back to his bomber squadron to finish his
missions in order to get back to his lovely bride
Rose sooner.
Dick was an articulate, creative, innovative and re-
sponsible leader and an outstanding example of the
“Greatest Generation” and was a card carrying
member of the “Band of Brothers” we know as Air-
line Pilots! He touched many lives.
I would be remiss if I didn’t publicly thank Rose
Cosgrave and her family on behalf of all of us, for
allowing her husband (married 60 years) and their
father the leave to contribute so much of his time
and effort to his pilots and airline.
I have just touched on a few of the many accom-
plishments credited to Dick. He and his good
friend and colleague, Chuck Woods, helped guide
ALPA and the United Pilots through turbulent
times with much success and I am sure it is all our
hope that the leaders of today’s ALPA will have
equal or greater success with today’s turbulent
times.
Captain Richard R. Cosgrave leaves this life a bet-
ter place by his contribution and I believe that’s all
we can ask. Thanks, Gerry Pryde
BOB & NORMA PURYEAR—PO Box 347 Trin-
ity Center, CA 96091 '43-'81 BU/SFO
rmpuryear@hotmail.com
I was "up to my ears in alligators" in July (birth
month) so Norma just sent a postage check to keep
us current. Now have more time to communicate
with fellow Ruparians. First thanks to Jock, Cleve,
and all the officers and helpers who keep us current
on facts and figures. We join all in the hope that
33
UAL can pull it off and keep feeding us- after 60
years of UAL paying the bills we'd like to keep on
the receiving end for another 20 or more! Too late
for Christmas wishes for all, but our hopes for a
healthy, prosperous, and peaceful New Year-- May
2003 be the best year for all!
I have recently been diagnosed with early, and rea-
sonably minor involvement, prostate cancer. Dr.
says “watchful waiting” at my 81+ years of age.
However, since I plan/hope for another 20 to 30
years of good health I need to consider other op-
tions. At the present time we are most interested in
the Proton treatment at Loma Linda Univ. Hospital.
Have information on experience of Ken Ellis and
some non pilots. Would appreciate fellow pilot in-
put on any and all treatments you have used. Espe-
cially the Proton radiation results and any side af-
fects you have. Also would like to know if anyone
has any idea of long –term success. Thanks for any
help. Bob
BILL RAIMER—PO Box 1480, Battle Ground,
WA 98604
Cleve- -Must be a misprint on the calendar. Can’t
possibly be into year seven of retirement! En-
closed- -this year’s dues plus some for the coffee
kitty.
Thirty-seven years ago this recently discharged
USAF Capt. drove cheerfully toward Denver for
his new-hire pilot class. In western Nebraska, less
than a day out, I tuned in a newscast on the radio,
only to learn that United’s mechanics had walked
out on strike--shutting down the airline. I searched
the road map for Climax, Colorado, certain that I
would be working there in the molybdenum mines
in two weeks when my money ran out. (Seems
nothing has changed!) Fortunately, United kept
new-hire school operating--as well as the B-727
and Caravelle schools. (Also, we got to fly line DC-
6B’s in BFO instead of the beat-up old DC-7 train-
ers, which were grounded.)
Can’t figure out why the 55% employee-owners did
nothing to get rid of three executives a couple years
ago before they flew the airline into the ground.
(We, after all, managed to fell Goliath back in the
eighties without any seats on the board!)
Absent our United woes, 2002 was not a bad year.
Jeri and I are both healthy. In Sept, a 2-week
Alaska cruise-tour with several high school class-
mates. (Have hit the top and bottom of the western
34
hemisphere now--with a 9-day Antarctica cruise in
2001.) Don’t care much for the equator--would
rather snowshoe--so we’ve decided to pretty much
stay home for 2003. Need to catch up on some
home projects--plus sit down and figure out how to
subsist with our health insurance and most of our
pension gone! Grew up with very little--can no
doubt survive again.
Keep the great newsletter coming! Bill & Jeri
DOUG RANKIN—20514 Miranda Pl, Woodland
Hills, CA 91367 53/90 Dougmarce@aol.com
My birthday is in December, but I never took my
United physical till January and since I retired I
have been writing my RUPA update in January so I
had better do it today because the month is over
half gone.
Only two things to write about during 2002. First,
Marcene & I went to Hudson, Wisconsin in June
for our oldest granddaughter's graduation, with
honors, from Hudson High School. She is now a
freshman at the University of Minnesota and she is
in the Navy ROTC program. She is carrying on a
family tradition as her mother's father was an An-
napolis graduate, and her father, Paul, flew for the
Navy for 10½ years. Tina says she wants to fly off
carriers.
The second was not only a highlight for me but for
my son Paul as well. Paul, who flies out of MSP
for Northwest, came out to Los Angeles and on No-
vember 5th we flew to Tehachapi in my 1956
Cessna 182. The reason for the trip to Tehachapi
was so Paul could fly the same airplane I soloed in,
in 1946. It is a 1943 Meyers OTW Bi-plane pow-
ered by a 160 H.P. Kinner engine. It would be in-
teresting to know how many of you pilots out there
were able to have your sons fly not only the same
make and model, but the exact same airplane. So
long till next year. Doug
MAX RASMUSSEN—1515 Shasta Dr. Apt 4321,
Davis, CA 95616
Dear Jock: My birth month is January. I clipped
this announcement concerning the death of Ray-
mond W. Gundlach, in the Davis, CA Enterprise
and wanted to send it to you earlier. [Thanks, we’ll
show him in “Flown West”. Ed.]
I live at the University Retirement Community in
Davis, CA, as did Ray. Two other retired United
Airline pilots also reside here: Jay Nelson and his
February, 2003 RUPANEWS
wife Dottie, and Wayne Walker with his wife Jean.
Ray retired the year I moved from New York to
San Francisco; unfortunately we had never met or
flown together. We have a pilots’ group that meets
weekly, and Ray would attend when his health per-
mitted. Only two weeks ago I was talking to him at
lunch about the problems at United Airlines and the
other airlines. One of his remarks was: "I would go
back to fly for no pay if they would give me a call,
I really miss flying."
As for my wife, Audrey, and me, we are very active
for age 81. She has aqua aerobics three times a
week and I have started golf and play 18 holes
three times weekly. This past January we traveled
with a golf group to Acapulco and saw many of the
ruins and shows and our first and last bullfight. In
March we cruised for sixteen days from Rio de Ja-
neiro, Brazil to Santiago, Chili with many stops and
"Around the Cape Horn" and through the Magellan
Straight with calm seas. Earlier, after a stop in Bue-
nos Aries, we encountered rough seas with winds
up to 110 mph. That felt like some of the cold
fronts or mountain wave turbulence we did not en-
joy while flying. Many people were sick or had a
broken bone or sprain. Sixty people jumped ship at
the next stop and flew home. We were fortunate to
fly 1st class on United and managed to sleep in the
comfortable seats. We are taking a golf vacation
with the same group to Cancun, Mexico in January.
Thank you Jock and Cleve for keeping us all in-
formed and being able to read about our friends.
Check to Cleve. Sincerely, Max & Audrey
VIOLA I. REID—1010 American Eagle Blvd,
Apt. 238D, Sun City Center, FL 33573
RUPANEWS, I still enjoy the retiree news and
only occasionally see a name I recognize, which is
not surprising, as “Doc” Horace retired in 1968.
At 92 years I enjoy flying and presenting my pass
with date of hire 1933. Sincerely, Viola
ED RIPPER—3227 Saint Andrews Cir. SE,
Southport, NC 28461 eripper@ec.rr.com
Hi to Jock, Cleve, and all the hard workers who
keep the RUPANEWS arriving on schedule each
month. Thanks for doing a great job! The annual
check will be in the mail to Cleve tomorrow, my
62nd birthday.
These first two years of retirement have been if
nothing else quite a ride. I'm sorta hoping for
February, 2003 RUPANEWS
things to slow down a little and maybe even see
some good news about the airline industry some
day when I turn on the TV. Oh well, it's always
nice to fantasize a little just before Christmas.
Bekki and I are both healthy and looking forward to
being grandparents for the first time in March.
The best to all of you and let's hope that 2003 will
be a positive year for UAL. Regards, Ed
RANDY RYAN—2850 E. Calle Sin Pecado, Tuc-
son, AZ 85718
Dear Cleve, Another year has passed and Pam and I
continue to enjoy the desert, although it is good to
get away during the monsoon of July and August.
In 2002 we took a four month fly, float, and drive
vacation that included a cruise from Florida,
through the Panama Canal, and wound up in San
Francisco. From there we drove our motor home
(towing a Chevy Trailblazer behind) north to
Alaska, stopping at so many wonderful places en
route that I won't bore you with a list. Suffice it to
say that everything from the Redding Air show, to
Victoria, to Deadhorse (Prudhoe Bay), and back
through Chicken, was fun and that we would rec-
ommend it to anyone. Don't worry about any re-
ports you may hear about the Alaska Highway, or
any highway for that matter, being "terrible." They
weren't. The only windshield problem we had was
in the lower 48 on an interstate highway when we
caught a small rock thrown up by a passing car.
Pam is still a Sunday docent at the Arizona-Sonora
Desert Museum and works at the Tucson Visitors
Bureau as well. I play lots of tennis and a little golf
but I'm going to have to live a long time before I
can shoot my age.
Plans for this year include another motor home trip,
this time to the south, east, and far northeast, proba-
bly up to Nova Scotia. We have already driven on
the northernmost, westernmost, and southernmost
roads in the US so we'll try to drive the easternmost
this summer.
Let's be optimistic and say that we hope that 2003
will be a better year than 2002, especially for those
of us who have family still working for United. We
would like to encourage anybody coming to Tucson
to give us a call. The best parts of 2002 included
phone calls from friends.
We would like to thank all of the folders and stuff-
ers for all the hard work. It is always fun to read the
RUPANEWS. The check is in the mail. Randy SFO
35
E.G. (GINO) SALEGUI—PO Box 437, Surfside,
CA 90743
Hello to all, Many thanks to the creators and stuff-
ers of This superb publication.
To fight off the pangs of the bankruptcy, we shall
celebrate the New Year in Portugal and Spain
(where else???). Once again, I want to tout the
merits of the best locations when staying in either
country. Try the following web sites: Spain
www.parador.es or Portugal www.pousadas.pt.
Live it up staying in a castle or palace with an age
60 discount, and have some wine for your
Health. Happy travel (while it is available) Gino
JACK SCHLEMER—967 Cascade Way,
McMinnville, OR brady@viclink.com
Greetings once again On my 22 year of retirement.
Nothing new, no travels, I feel my body is slowly
decomposing. I feel sad that was once the number 1
airline seems to be going down the toilet. Check to
Cleve. Jack
BOB SCHWAB—8807 Roundtable Ct, Fair Oaks,
CA 95628
Dear Cleve & Jock, On this day after Thanksgiving
I’m afraid we don’t have a great deal to be thankful
for. The failure of the IAM to ratify concessions
will be a vote we will all remember for the rest of
our lives. Chapter 11 will be a given for UAL, and
this is bad news for all airline employees. United
will ask for abrogation of labor contracts to re-
organize and if I were a pilot for American, I would
see the handwriting on the wall.
The administration’s Air Transportation Stabiliza-
tion Board has the secondary agenda of getting air
transportation wages back in line with what they
believe should be normal and adequate. The only
republicans I know who think Captains should be
paid $200,000 per year are sitting in the cockpit
with union cards in their pockets. What we are see-
ing is called the end of an era. While it may be true
that a rising tide lifts all boats, an ebbing tide
grounds all boats.
Our pensions are not going to look pretty after the
guarantee board gets done with them. All things
considered; it was a hell of a ride while it lasted.
A Happy Holiday Season to all of us left standing.
Bob
36
BERNARD SCHWARTZMAN—1105 Redbud
Rd, Winchester, VA 22603
Dear Cleve, As promised last year, postage would
be sent on time this year. You should have already
received the check.
While United hovers on the brink of bankruptcy,
Bonnie and I can only reflect on the good year that
has past. In January we used our time share to re-
lax on Kauai, an island I hadn't visited since a brief
stop at the airport back in 1962 with AEWBAR-
RONPAC. The island is beautiful. We even took a
helicopter tour and I hate helicopters but now I ap-
preciate what they can do well.
In September I joined E. K. Williams, Frank
McKenzie, and Jim Foster on our annual salmon
trip to Yakutat. The fishing and friendship was
great.
October made for a NAVCAD reunion in Corpus
Christi, Texas. It was the first I had attended. No
one was there from my cadet class but the people I
met going back to WWII were just wonderful. Bon-
nie and I made many new friends and had a great
time.
The USS Lexington is now a museum. I spent more
time on the ship this year than when I carrier quali-
fied on her back in 1962. The group also visited
NAS Corpus Christi and Kingsville and the King
Ranch.
There will be another NAVCAD/MARCAD reun-
ion for those in the late classes of 1960. Eighty
have already signed up in May. If anyone is inter-
ested in joining the reunion contact me at
bschwart@shentel.net.
In November I hunted Virginia and West Virginia
thinning out the deer herd. I also caught up on tall
tales, sipped good scotch and dined well, for a
hunting camp.
It looks like December will be a relaxing month at
Palm Dessert with my sister and her husband. That
is provided UAL is still flying.
My gut feeling is that UAL will survive and we
will all be able to tell our grandchildren how the
employees saved the company from disappearing.
Bernie
JACQUE M. SEXTON—6 Sequoia Way, Red-
wood City, CA 94061
Dear Cleve, Thank you very much for the heads-
up. I have kept looking for some sort of a RED
Flag I heard about somewhere. This is to you elec-
February, 2003 RUPANEWS
tronically and several subscriptions and extra by
snail mail. I do not have a computer, just this ver-
sion of a browser from WEBTV.NET. Thusly I am
unable to get onto SKYNET anymore, till after the
first of the year. I understand that WEBTV and
UAL will then be able to understand each other.
During these troubling times I certainly miss being
able to keep current. The only way I can follow up
is thru Dale Harper and his mailings at Yahoo
Group. His address is dtharper@inreach.com for
anyone who likes. He has also been doing a fantas-
tic job of relaying for us dumb webtv'ers. Harry
Stonelake seems to me to have a corner of the best
of reasoning processes.
What I still can't understand is why the media only
seems to blame the labor side of the issue and no
mention of all the dumb decisions of top corp.
MGMT, ever since Mr. Pat Paterson retired. I will
never forgive anyone in MGMT who supported
that. Like the Sunday funnies say, " It's time to bury
the hatchet, but I haven't found the hatchet yet."
Thanks again for your courtesies and all your ser-
vices. I am tethered fairly close to this O2 source
but am still able to keep my SAT at about 92 or
above and my better half is in good health also.
Jacque
JIM SHIPP— P.O. Box 3098, Battleground, WA.
98604 SFO 1964/2001 jim4shipp@aol.com
Starting year 3 of retirement already!!! Time
flies...just hope UAL can keep doing so!
Naty and I are keeping busy flying the C-185 on
floats at our Canada home on
Nimpo Lake and the Cub here at
Parkside Airpark, just north of
PDX. Also enjoyed lots of fishing
on the inland waterway near Bella
Bella, Canada. Just keeping fin-
gers crossed that the retirement
checks will keep allowing us to
play.
Thanks to the active pilots who
have accepted the big pay cut.
[The cut is only a temporary one,
pending contractual negotiations
in chapter 11 with UAL. Ed] It
seems mgmt won't be happy how-
ever until pilots pay to fly for
UAL with no duty rigs!
Give us a call or fly in! Jim & Naty
February, 2003 RUPANEWS
SIDNEY F. SIGWALD—8928 SE Star Island
Way, Hobe Sound, FL 33455 sidsig9@aol.com
Dear Cleve, Just a quick note to send along with
my stamp check. I am happy to see so many of my
friends still on the right side of the turf!!
Georgeanne and I have found that cruise line inter-
line rates are cheaper than staying home so we get
in about two cruises a year. We keep waiting for
the security mess to clear up so we can get back in
the friendly skies – assuming we will have pass
privileges in the future. Regards, Sid
WALT SMITH—847 N Humboldt St. #410, San
Mateo, CA 94401 usersm2019@aol.com
2002 has been a mixed year. After a successful
fight against cancer, at least for the present, Marge
began having severe head aches in May, which ran
on for three months 24 hours a day. After several
specialists and a number of tests brought no help,
we went on suggestion to the local library. We
found she had 22 of the suggested symptoms for
TMJ [Temporal Mandibular Joint]. A specialist in
that was able to stop the head aches in one day.
Now she is having a periodically acute balance dis-
turbance, which the doctors believe is a virus. I
spent a week in the hospital in February, teetering
on the edge of an operation for a blocked bowel.
I'm still having trouble with it, so we are both suf-
fering from some of the ills flesh is heir to. But we
agree with Maurice Chevalier, who when asked
how it felt to be 80, said absolutely marvelous com-
pared to the alternative.
37
In contrast, the children are in good health, well
established, and happy. The grand children are
making careers, except for Sarah, who suffered a
severe brain injury in an accident 3 ½ years ago.
She is making continuous progress in therapy. The
ETA for the first great grand child is March 03.
We cut back on travel: Denver and Dana Point for
Marge's family, Ashland OR for Walt's, Santa Rosa
for a reunion of PAN AM Navigators, and Crater
Lake National Park for its 100th anniversary, and
then a reunion of who ever worked there. I was em-
ployed during the summers of 1939 & 1940, while
in college, and tied for the most senior attendee.
We enjoy the RUPANEWS, and admire the job all
of you do with it, even though at 86 I find fewer
and fewer I knew and flew with.
Check for postage is gratefully in snail mail. Marge
& Walt
WESLEY "AL" SPEAR, by Barry Woodruff
12/30/02
Jock: I just found out that our compadre, Al Spear,
is in very very bad straights. Mid Sept. his Dr. gave
him 2 months to live due to the advancement of his
ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). I was able to have a
very limited phone contact with him yesterday with
the help of his wife, Lucy. I later contacted her and
confirmed that Al would still be very interested in
receiving short e-mail or written contacts from old
friends that Lucy would help him with. He just re-
tired a couple of years ago or so and got this diag-
nosis after his first year. Their e-mail is lucyan-
dal@choosemail.net and mailing address is Wesley
A. Spear, 2691 N Silverleaf Way, Meridian, ID
83642-3963 Barry
BOB STEENECK—1623 Adriel Dr, Fort Collins,
CO 80524 steeneck@concentric.net
Five years into the mission...the Medicare Card ar-
rived a few months ago. Still try to stay current in
the Baron, but the instrument scan isn't what it used
to be.
Judy continues to operate her Tour company, so I
hang out in Carefree, AZ while she is out on tour.
Been getting into shotgun sports of late, especially
skeet...also shoot Cowboy Action when I remember
the correct weekend. Will visit Antarctica in Janu-
ary via Norwegian Coastal Lines, with "wet land-
ings" ashore using Zodiacs...should be fun.
My new Arizona hangar will hold another airplane.
38
Anyone know of a good Fleet or Waco UPF-7 that
needs a new home?
Thanks to all the folks who keep this publication
coming...I enjoy reading it from cover to cover.
Check is in the mail. Cheers, Bob
RICHARD L. STEINER—812 Nice Way, Sara-
sota, FL 34238 dstennis@att.net
Cleve - Many thanks for sending me the last two
RUPANEWS. My forwarding address from Minn.
to here was being addressed wrong in Plymouth,
Minn. They were forwarding to 812 Nice Way and
I wasn't getting my mail. My check is in the mail.
I happen to belong to the Meadows Country Club
here in Sarasota and there are 7 of us RUPA guys
here. Ray White, Bob Enander, Al McIlraith, Dave
Duke, Dick Phillips, Carl Bye and myself. All of us
were ORD based and it is really neat to see this
group just about every time I play golf.I spend most
of the winter here running the Sarasota County
Senior Men's Tennis Leagues. This will be my 10th
year on the board. I have over 1100 waivers in my
file and 650 men play every week for 18 weeks. It
is a scheduling nightmare to get 115 teams, playing
at 25 tennis facilities, at the right place and on the
right court. We have Leagues for 60, 70, 75 and 80
year olds and have doubled in size the past 10
years. We are the 2nd largest men’s tennis group in
Florida. This is just about a full time job but I keep
going just like you guys do with the RUPANEWS.
My e-mail address has been the same for about 6
years. Keep up the very fine work you do for us.
Dick
BILL STOOKEY—11420 Avondale Loop Rd,
Hayden Lake, ID 83835 ‘48-‘85 ORD, SFO
willn6hs@aol.com
Dear Jock, I should have gotten this letter off to
you last month but had Rt shoulder surgery and
since I bat Rt handed couldn't step up to the plate
until now.
Lois and I have had a good year and did a few in-
teresting things. Went to an air show at Hanscom
AFB, west of Boston and spent some time with my
bamboo bomber that I donated to the Collings
Foundation. I got to fly the B-24 again which I
hadn't done since I was 20 yrs old during WW II. It
was a thrill and brought back memories. Lois and I
took a trip to Harrison Hot Springs in British Co-
lumbia, Canada: A beautiful and relaxing place to
February, 2003 RUPANEWS
spend a few days. Also we had an exciting and
beautiful jet boat ride on the Snake River that bor-
ders between Idaho, Oregon and Washington. It has
over 90 rapids and flows into the Columbia River.
Since this seems to be the high points for the year,
I'll close and wish everyone a very Merry Christ-
mas and Happy New Year!! Bill
PATRICK WALKER—2631 Wildhorse Ln, Min-
den, NV 89423
Dear Cleve; I have just rocketed through the first
year of this retirement thingee. It was getting to be
one heck of a lot of fun until the major turn of
events at WHQ!!! Now things are a bit worrisome.
Even in retirement, as the adage goes, "Timing is
everything". Some hit it, and some get hit by it!
Guess the whole mess will have to run its course in
due time.
Meantime, all is going well in Minden, Nevada.
An occasional lunch with Lyle Uren and the local
fellas, and glider flying, and the other diversions of
retirement makes it all worth while. All in all, I'm
glad I am on the outside these days.
I do miss the flying and the flying partners, but go-
ing to airports these days just ain't like it used to be.
Brother!!!
Check is in the mail! The best to ya! We owe you
for your great services to all of us!
Cheerz, Patrick
JIM & DEBBIE WAUGH—1325 Rosemary Ln,
Bolingbrook, IL 60490
Dear Cleve, When several people suggested that if
we had anything to get done, we best do it before
retirement because we wouldn’t have time after-
wards were so very correct. We are just now begin-
ning to look forward to getting our wheels on the
ground and proceeding with our lives in some nor-
mal fashion, what ever that is.
Over the years, I think that many times we have all
watched as United lumbered on of it’s own mo-
mentum in the airline industry in spite of bad man-
agement. I think now it is clear that this is not an
approach that will allow our company to survive.
At this point, any fix that does not address the
South Wests and Jet Blues and particularly the mini
jet carriers, who are already able to buy United,
will be temporary at best. In that case, contrary to
contemporary pilot logic, some of us will have to
entertain ideas of owning a company that actually
February, 2003 RUPANEWS
makes a profit! I sure hope that light at the end of
the tunnel isn’t another train coming. I’m beginning
to feel like a roadrunner.
Keep up the good work. Sincerely, Jim & Debbie
ROBERT D. WEAVER—3825 E. Nowata Dr,
Phoenix, AZ 85044
Dear Cleve, It’s hard to believe my first year of re-
tirement has gone by so fast. I have always heard
that you are busy, now I believe it.
Sue and I have enjoyed our years in Arizona. We
now are looking forward to our move this winter or
spring to Colorado Springs. The cooler weather
will be a welcome change. I will send you an ad-
dress change when we make the move.
Enclosed is my check for the postage fund. Thanks
for all the work you guys do with the RUPANEWS.
Bob
DAVID W. WICKERSHAM—2901 Hill St, New
Smyrna Beach, FL 32169 macwicker@aol.com
Hello Cleve, First year of retirement just peachy,
and we’ve moved into our ocean front home in
New Smyrna Beach.
Marian (formerly McKean) continues to fly – 35+
years for her now. She thinks I’m going to hop a
ride to NRT one more time with her so she’s stick-
ing around.
Current events bring to mind times in a holding pat-
tern counting fuel, minutes, sequences etc, and hop-
ing not to hear the word “indefinite”. Now, as then,
wisdom and knowledge will serve us well.
My thanks for everyone’s efforts, this great news-
letter, and the forever friendships we all have.
Y’all please make our place a stop if you’re along
the Florida East Coast. Dave
39
ROBERT B. WILLIAMS, JR.—34 Hidden Val-
ley Airport, Denton, TX 76208 benja-
mine1@juno.com
Birth date is just about here for me, so annual note
herewith. Same old stuff , number 81 birthday so
made it this far. Health seems OK. Have the same
2 airplanes in my hangar, one Mooney and one
Cassutt. Get up about once per week. Aviation
medical is current but requires treadmill each year
for renewal.
Joined new organization, United Flying Octoge-
narians. Birds of a feather must like to flock to-
gether. Also keeping up the Flight Instructor ticket
but don't find much use for it. Attended both Sun &
Fun and Oshkosh as usual.
Just found a disturbing item in the newspaper this
morning : "The federal agency that insures the pen-
sions of 44 million Americans has slipped into a
deficit position for the first time since 1996, its fi-
nances pounded by a succession of big corporate
bankruptcies." I'll close on that unhappy note. As
usual, check will go to Cleve. Also happy to report
that wife, Evie, is doing well. Bob
JAMES F. WILSON—2712 Sedgefield Ct. E.,
Clearwater, FL 33761 jwilso23@gte.net. MDW,
ORD, DEN, EWR, JFK.
Hi Cleve, Time for the annual letter. This time I
have to report that it has been a routine year with
not much to report. From the letters I read every
month, I realize that we are very lucky to be able to
say that.
We remain in reasonably good health, still traveling
and working at volunteer jobs. This year we tried a
River Cruise from Amsterdam to Vienna and de-
cided it was a good alternative to the ocean cruises.
The 28 grandkids grow and thrive. Lots of fun for
us to see the new personalities develop.
It hurts to see all the problems at UAL. We have
had no problems at all on our pass travels here or
abroad and I expect that the effects of bankruptcy
will not do much to us, but I would hate to be the
employee of UAL who has 15 or 20 years invested
at this time.
21 years on the beach and life is still great. What
could be better? The newsletter is eagerly antici-
pated and I thank all of you who do the work.
Check via snail. Jim
40
LAURENCE R. WOOD—29 Oyster Bay Pl, Hil-
ton Head Island, SC 29926 LRayWood@aol.com
Dear Cleve, Somehow another year has slipped
away without any major changes in my life. Our
health is still good, and so far we still have an in-
come.
Really enjoyed the cruise, the Panama Canal and
visiting with a lot of old friends. Hope to do it
again in the future. Right now we are trying to plan
a Yangtze River trip in the spring.
Check is enclosed for another year, and we send
our thanks and regards to all. Ray
JAMES W. WRIGHT—65 Jensen St, East Bruns-
wick, NJ 08816 DCA, EWR, JFK 51/85
Dear Cleve, Last year I said it was a sad year, I
never thought things would get worse. I pray that
UAL can recover and survive. We attended the
Capital picnic last September.
On our last sail, the 30th of September, Millie broke
her leg getting on our sailboat trying to recover her
pocket book. After two operations she got a new
knee and a steel rod in her left leg. She is now re-
covering at home.
When I read Karl Schultz’s letter in the November,
2002 newsletter, it reminded me that I also had to
circle in a Connie with a low ceiling and rain at
CRW airport. I had my co-pilot call out his air-
speed as I kept checking mine. On final I noticed
there was a big difference in our airspeeds, so I
went around. I figured I had been using too much
rudder turning on final, so I didn’t use much rudder
the second time and the airspeeds were about the
same. We needed the entire runway to stop.
Karl’s story about landing on runway 23 in Buffalo
reminded me that I had the same experience in a
Connie as I was the first plane to land one morning
with several inches of new snow on the runway.
When I applied my brakes near the end of the run-
way, the wheels locked and we started to slide.
There was a sheet of ice under the snow. I did not
want to wipe out the approach lights at the end of
the runway so I applied the left brake and added
power to the #3 and #4 engines and slid onto the
taxiway. I was able to taxi out of the snow bank
next to the taxiway and get to the gate. The me-
chanics told me one main tire had a minor cut. I
called Doc Reid and he told me to continue the trip.
I also LOVE Doc Reid. He helped me several
times in my career and he saved my job when I was
February, 2003 RUPANEWS
the co-pilot on the DC-3 at RDU in 1951 that had
the ailerons hooked up backwards on a test flight.
Doc was a very fair and thoughtful person.
We appreciate the medical articles and Doug Wils-
man’s reports. Jim
TOMMY ZANDER—1014 Napoleon Ave, New
Orleans, La. 70115 -or- 16787 Perdido Key Drive
Pensacola, FL. 32507 DCA, SFO, ORD ‘66-’00
wtzander@aol.com
Hi Guys and Girls, What a difference two years
makes. I had no idea how important I was to UAL.
When I retired in December 2000, United was the
largest airline in the world with over 100,000 em-
ployees, a healthy balance sheet, and a stock price
around $40. And now......... So sad!
When I retired I learned the truth in what so many
others have said, "How did I ever find the time to
fly?" Since I retired, Sande, UAL-SW 1963-1994,
and I have sold our lovely, but old, house in New
Orleans and bought two lock-it-and-leave-it con-
dos, one just two blocks from our former home in
uptown New Orleans and the other on the water on
Perdido Key, a barrier island just southwest of Pen-
sacola. As the two places are only a 3 hour drive
apart, we go back and forth depending on what's
going on, where.
We also have become quite fond of cruising having
spent 50 days on ships since I retired. It's so nice to
travel without packing and unpacking daily. If
you're flexible on travel dates, outside cabins, even
balconies, are available for well under $75 per per-
son per day on the major cruise lines. That's room,
board, transportation, and entertainment, a pilot’s
dream. If we lose our pension, I'm going to see if
we can live permanently on a cruise ship! I'm just
not sure if we can afford the booze!
Both of us are in relatively good health. I was diag-
nosed with stage T1c prostate cancer in October
2000, but except for PSA tests every three months,
much consultation and reading about the disease,
and a second biopsy last month, I haven't had any
treatment yet. Any insight from any of you guys
with experience with this disease would be appreci-
ated. Cleve, you've been very helpful. Thanks.
We are off to visit friends in Australia at the end of
January, then back to New Orleans for Mardi Gras
(our condo is directly on the parade route) and then
a seven day river cruise in southern France in April
with another retired UAL pilot, Keeton Barnes, and
February, 2003 RUPANEWS
his wife. The summer brings a long driving trip out
west to see friends and a family reunion with
Sande's family. See why I don't know how I ever
had time to fly?
Look us up if you're in either neighborhood. Tommy
& Sande
IN MEMORIAM
RICHARD P. (DICK) COSGRAVE
Dick's greatest achievements in life were his loving
marriage to Rose for over 60 years, and his loving
and wise guidance to his children and their fami-
lies. Rose survives him along with his three chil-
dren, Kathi and John (Oregon), Rick (Seattle), their
spouses, 5 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren,
and his sister Mary Brann (California). Dick pi-
loted B-17's in WWII, then flew for United Airlines
for 36 years. His skill as a union negotiator pro-
vided a second career with the National Mediation
Board. Dick loved his family, golf, fishing, travel,
and friends. He will be greatly missed by all who
knew him.
Remembrances in lieu of flowers to the charity of
your choice. Inurnment was at Acacia Memorial
Park, Seattle. Rick Cosgrave
KENDALL WINTON EVERSON
On December 11, 2002, Kendall Winton Everson,
patriarch of the Everson family, longtime resident
of. Newport Beach passed away due to cancer. He
was an honest man of strong convictions, and to
know him was to know a man of warmth, compas-
sion, humor and wisdom. Although he was 81 years
old, he had packed twice that amount of living into
his years.
At 16, he started to actively pursue his love of fly-
ing and sailing. After raising his family and retiring
from United Air Lines as a captain, he pursued an-
other passion when he bought his first motorcycle.
He was a highly decorated Marine Corps pilot, who
flew torpedo bombers in the South Pacific. Having
achieved the rank of Colonel, he commanded sev-
eral reserve squadrons, and was proud of his con-
tinuing service with his beloved Corps.
His span of pioneering aviation included competing
in the Cleveland Air Races, instructing pilots in the
Dominican Republic, creating his own airline, fly-
ing as a young naval test pilot and, recently, testing
41
experimental aircraft until he grounded himself two
years ago due to his health.
His romance with sailing included crewing, often
on square-riggers, as well as skippering his own
boat on lengthy trips. Upon his return home after
WW II, he married the girl down the street and was
her protector and soul mate for 56 years. He was
father of twelve, six of whom came to him through
their marriages to his birth children.
His most treasured creations were his children and
grandchildren, and he was the kind of father whose
greatest joy came from spending time with his fam-
ily. He delighted his 23 grandchildren with jelly-
bean hunts, motorcycle rides, boating, and individ-
ual “special trips” when they turned 12 years old.
The Mormon Church was a dominant force in his
life and he served as Bishop of the Corona Del Mar
Ward. He was an active participant of many organi-
zations, including a Gold Flag member of the Bahia
Corinthian Yacht Club, a board member of the
United Air Lines Historical Society and many other
organizations associated with Marine history and
Marine Corps aviation. Ken took great pleasure in
spending an evening playing bridge with his wife
and. friends or traveling to see the wonders of the
world.
We celebrate his life and thank our husband, fa-
ther, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend and hero
for the love and care he gave us and the passion,
adventure and-strong values he brought into our
lives. Ken's family
RAYMOND W. GUNDLACH
Raymond W. “Ray” Gundlach died on Dec. 4,
2002, at the agebf 91. Born on Oct. 25, 1911, in
Portland, OR, he graduated from high school in
Dixon and moved to Davis in 1934.
He was a pilot all his life, haying flown many types
of aircraft from Jennies to jets. Active in aviation as
a teenager flying biplanes; he bought an Eaglerock
biplane in 1932 and joined United Airlines in1940.
He flew Boeing 247s, DC-3s; 4s, 6s, 7s and 8s until
he retired with 24,000 hours in 1968.
He was one of the first individuals to make a de-
posit on a unit in the planned Davis University Re-
tirement Community, where he lived with his wife,
Doriet Simonson-Gundlach, during the past 2
years.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Grace
Cecil-Guridlach, a native of Davis, after 46 years of
42
marriage.
He is survived by his second wife of 14 years, Do-
riet Simonson-Gundlach, two daughters, one son,
six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
NORMAN B. JOHNSON
Norman B. Johnson, our Seattle Area ranking patri-
arch, at the age of 93, took the last required flight
west in Bellingham January 3, 2003. He was born
August 1, 1909 in Newport, WA. He graduated
from Sumner HS in 1927. Norman took flying les-
sons in 1926-1929 before entering the U.S. Marine
Corps in 1929. He flew for United Airlines from
1936 until his retirement in 1969. Norman was a
longtime Mason, member of the Tacoma Valley
Chapter of the Scottish Rite, and member of the
Association of Naval Aviation. He was a member
of the Sumner Presbyterian Church.
He was our oldest and most senior pilot and a loyal
Seattle Gooney Bird Luncheon regular. He re-
mained very active even after moving to Belling-
ham, would often make the 100+ mile trip to join
us for lunch. He would often relate some very inter-
esting experiences from his early days with United.
He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Myrtle
(Walters) Albers Johnson; three sons, one stepson,
eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
RICHARD R. NICHOLSON
I have to report the sad news that my good friend
Dick Nicholson died January 20 at age 72. Tabby
(a nickname from a prior life) was based in DEN
and ORD in the course of his UAL career. His last
assignment before retiring was as a 737-300 check
airman; in which capacity he gave many of us our
Mexico City checkouts. He encountered several
serious illnesses in his retirement years all of which
he overcame except the last, lung cancer.
Mary Anne and I visited him on 10 January and
although he was clearly tired and not well he was
his usual cheerful and talkative self. We will miss
him greatly. Regards, Jeremy McGreevy
GLORIA ZURMUHLEN
I regret to inform you of the death of Mrs. Gloria
“Glo” Zurmuhlen, 69, of Annapolis, MD for over
33 years and formerly of Alexandria, VA, who died
in her sleep December 31, 2002 at her home. She
was the wife of Frank Zurmuhlen. Cards may be
sent to: Mr. Frank Zurmuhlen, 1160 Mainsail Dr,
Annapolis, MD 21403 (410-268-5553)
February, 2003 RUPANEWS
 Alfred G. Grodowski 4/3/2001
Bradly Burns* 9/23/2002
John J. Schuster 11/26/2002
Paul C. Cane 12/?/2002
William A. Jones* 12/2/2002
Raymond W. Gundlach 12/4/2002
W. C. “Tex” Guthrie 12/7/2002
Kendal W. Everson 12/14/2002
Norman B. Johnson 1/3/2003
Richard P. Cosgrave 1/4/2003
Richard R. Nicholson 1/20/2003
George G. Stoddard* 1/25/2003
* Indicates Non-Member

HIGH FLIGHT
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, - and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of – wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air….
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark or even eagle flew –
And, while with silent lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
John Gillespie Magee, Jr., September 3, 1941

February, 2003 RUPANEWS 43

 RUPA’S SOCIAL CALENDAR
Monthly Scheduled Lunches
2nd Mon. SW FL—Olive Garden, Ft. Myers - 941-793-5251
2nd Tue. San Diego Co.—Quails’ Inn, San Marcos - 760-723-9008
2nd Tue. FL Treasure Coast Sunbirds—Miles Grant CC, Stuart 561-747-2796
2nd Thu. SE FL Gold Coast— Flaming Pit - 561-272-1860
2nd Fri. PHX Roadrunners— Briarwood C.C., Sun City West, AZ 480-948-1612
3rd Tue. DEN Good Ole Boys— 11:30am American Legion Post 1 - 303-364-1565
3rd Tue. LAS High Rollers—Memphis Barbecue - 702-896-8821
3rd Tue. NE FL—Spruce Creek CC - 386-760-9736
3rd Tue. Dana Point CA— Wind & Sea Restaurant - 949-496-2691
3rd Thu. LAX—Hacienda (Even Mths) Billingsley’s (Odd Mths) 310-821-6207
3rd Thu. Ohio Northcoasters—TJ’s Wooster (Always coed.) - 330-262-5811
3rd Thu. SEA Gooneybirds—Airport Marriott. - 206-242-1242
3rd Thu So. Oregon (MFR)—Pony Express, Jacksonville - 541-245-6896
3rd Thu. TPA Sundowners—Cuzzins (odd mths. Stag) - 727-787-5550

Quarterly Scheduled Lunches

1st Wed Feb, May, Aug, Nov. Chicago Area— Itasca CC - 630-832-3002
2nd Tue Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct. McHenry (ORD)—Warsaw Inn - 815-459-5314
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44 February, 2003 RUPANEWS